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We, as a nation, take pride in our athletes who represent India at the Olympics. They put in grueling hours of training, make countless sacrifices, all to don the Indian flag on the world stage. Yet, their journey to the top is not all smooth sailing. Sometimes, they must fight battles off the mat that threaten to jeopardize their careers. One such case is that of the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, facing sexual harassment allegations. Now, several Indian Olympians have demanded his arrest.
The demands for his arrest come after several allegations of sexual harassment against Singh by multiple female wrestlers. One of these wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, is a Commonwealth Games gold medalist and an Asian Games medalist, currently preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. In a tweet, she said it was time for the WFI to take cognizance of the issue, and Singh should be arrested to set an example.
Some might think that this demand is just another placard held up at a protest, or just another athlete ‘speaking up’ about an issue. But what they don’t realize is the gravity of an athlete’s demand in a situation like this. In India, an athlete doesn’t just represent himself – he becomes a de facto spokesperson for his sport. A sportspersons’ opinion is highly respected in our society, with their words carrying weight and consideration from fans, athletes and organizations alike. It takes courage to speak out against those in power, particularly for athletes in countries like India, where the power structures are such that one’s career is at risk. In such a scenario, the athlete’s voice becomes all the more imperative.
It’s not just the sexual harassment allegations that have put the spotlight on Singh. In the past year, controversy has surrounded him repeatedly. The WFI has been accused of favoritism when it comes to selections for international competitions. Many wrestlers, including Geeta and Babita Phogat, have accused him of being biased against them. Additionally, in November 2020, the Sports Ministry derecognized the Delhi Wrestling Association under Singh’s leadership for violating the National Sports Code.
In February 2021, a former national medalist, Gaurav Baliyan, claimed in an interview that Singh and other WFI officials had demanded a bribe from him to secure a place in the national camp. His shocking allegations have only served to amplify the chorus of voices calling for action against Singh.
Several wrestlers, both male and female, have come out in support of the athletes’ demand to arrest Singh. Sushil Kumar, a two-time Olympic medalist, and Yogeshwar Dutt, a London Olympics bronze medalist, have also voiced their support for the demand. The WFI has promised an inquiry, but the athletes want immediate action to be taken.
As an Olympic athlete, the pressure to succeed not only comes from within but from family, friends, and the country at large. For Indian athletes, fulfilling this responsibility is not an easy task. They juggle training, competing, endorsements and more while dealing with the constant spotlight, and now, even sexual harassment allegations by those in power. It is essential that the authorities take swift and decisive action to provide justice for the athletes at the highest level.
In conclusion, we believe that the Indian Olympians’ demand for the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is not just a demand by a group of athletes, but one by Indian society as a whole. As we look forward to the Tokyo Olympics this year, it’s imperative that the athletes represent India with pride and honor, but not at the cost of their safety and reputation. It is time to stand up and speak out against any injustice athletes face. Their demands must be heard, and action taken. It is time for the authorities to show their support against sexual harassment and take steps to make India’s sports industry a safer and better place for all athletes.
