The Indian Wrestling Federation has barred Vinesh Phogat from competing. This raises a fundamental question: Does the Federation exist for the wrestlers, or do wrestlers exist for the Federation? The Federation was created for the welfare and support of athletes. Yet its male office-bearers—occupying posts on questionable grounds—are deciding the future of a talented woman wrestler, already an international medalist, merely through the power of their positions.
Are they acting in the national interest, or simply following the dictates of a powerful individual to satisfy his ego and protect their own interests? The government and its Sports Ministry are silently watching. The Sports Minister should resign for appearing helpless before the Federation’s arbitrary functioning.
It is deeply shameful that, to prevent Vinesh Phogat from competing, a wrestling event was organized at the private college of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in Nandini Nagar, Gonda. Six women wrestlers have accused him of sexual harassment, and Vinesh has now openly stated that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh raped her.
For any survivor, it is humiliating to be forced to go to her alleged rapist’s doorstep. Yet Vinesh deserves admiration for her courage—she went to Gonda and spoke fearlessly. Her husband also deserves appreciation for standing firmly by her side. Vinesh says she now draws strength for her struggle from her ten-month-old son.
Vinesh Phogat is being served a show-cause notice for indiscipline, while the man accused of raping her is not even questioned. Allegations claim that at the Paris Olympics, on the day of the final, her weight exceeded the category limit by 100 grams—leading to disqualification and national embarrassment. But she had already wrestled several bouts in the same category to reach the finals. Only on the final day was she unable to maintain her weight. Is this really such a matter of national shame? Or is the real embarrassment the threat by United World Wrestling to suspend the Indian Wrestling Federation unless elections were held within 45 days, due to sexual harassment allegations against then-president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh?
Perhaps no recent incident has brought as much disrepute to India, Indian politics, and Indian sports globally as the conduct of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Experts do not consider Vinesh’s inability to make weight a major mistake. Some argue that despite being denied the chance to compete, she should have been awarded a silver medal—especially since she defeated a renowned Japanese wrestler who had never before lost an international match.
India suffered worldwide embarrassment because of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, yet neither the Wrestling Federation nor the Sports Ministry ever issued him a show-cause notice for tarnishing the country’s image. Instead, when international pressure forced him to step down as president, he ensured his associate, Sanjay Singh, took over and maintained his control. Despite serious allegations of sexual misconduct, Brij Bhushan didn’t even get a scratch. When the allegations emerged, he was an MP. Now his son is an MP. The Union Government lacks the courage to take any action against him, let alone arrest him.
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claims that mafia rule has ended. Many alleged criminals are killed or shot in police encounters before charges are proven. The homes of accused persons are demolished with bulldozers before guilt is established. Yet even the Uttar Pradesh government does not have the courage to act against Brij Bhushan—even though he has publicly confessed to a murder.
The BJP speaks of respecting women and raises slogans like “Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter.” BJP Mahila Morcha leaders protest outside opposition leaders’ homes over the women’s reservation issue, even though the bill’s actual intent was to increase parliamentary seats. Yet BJP Mahila Morcha women have still not gone to Brij Bhushan’s residence. It is very clear: the BJP wants to protect him.
It is a matter of great shame that our country today has a government hostile to women, backed by a patriarchal organization. Definitions of sexual crimes against women are being weakened to benefit the accused or even the convicted. The rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially transgender persons, have also been diluted. Women cannot freely choose their life partners, particularly in interfaith marriages. The BJP and RSS are taking us farther from the constitutional ideal of equality and from the vision of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, who considered gender equality the most important aspect of his “Seven Revolutions.”
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*Secretary General of the Socialist Party (India)
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