Indian women fighters push for reforms after sexual harassment case

KHARKHODA, India, July 3 (Reuters) – Indian wrestlers and their families, horrified by allegations of sexual harassment by a top sports administrator, are pushing for reforms, ranging from guardians accompanying contestants to demands for more women officials in the top ranks of the sport. .

A lower court this month admitted a sexual harassment and intimidation case against the head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, an influential lawmaker from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party.

But the delay in taking action drew global attention when top fighters threatened in May to throw their medals into the Ganges, Hinduism’s holiest river, in protest some five months after accusing Singh of groping young women during tournaments.

In interviews with national media, Singh denied charges that he sexually harassed the six wrestlers, who have represented India internationally, with an aide saying the judiciary would prove his innocence.

If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison.

“It’s a matter of tremendous sadness, but the wrestlers have done the right thing by speaking up,” said Mona Dahiya, mother of two teenage sisters, Deepika and Ishanshu, who are training to be wrestlers in the northern state of Haryana.

“We are concerned that some of the best wrestlers may experience this (sexual harassment), so it may happen to our girls as well,” he said at his home in Kharkhoda, a town 60 km (37 miles) from New Delhi, while stirring milkshakes. plantain that give strength to their daughters.

However, the Dahiyas, along with nine wrestlers and their parents, with whom Reuters spoke, were determined that none of the youngsters should leave the sport.

Instead, they are eyeing the WFI elections scheduled for July to achieve their demand for reforms of a system that provides guidance to more than 53,000 young fighters.

Some parents said they wanted women appointed to all levels of coaching and leadership in the wrestling federation, as well as other sporting bodies.

“The whole system is full of men… You have to appoint ladies so that the girls feel safe,” said Virendra Singh, the father of the Dahiya sisters, himself a wrestler who accompanies his daughters to training every day. .

“We want our daughters to become heroes, not victims, and the government has to change the whole culture by bringing in female coaches as well.”

Others want the government to establish an official group of guardians to travel to events, such as training camps and international tournaments, along with the female contestants.

“Parents like me are scared, but we will have to step up our vigil and we cannot leave our girls alone,” said Rajesh Ahlawat, father of a young wrestler preparing for the 2024 Olympics.

Officials from the Sports Authority of India and the WFI said they could not comment on the allegations against Singh as the matter was in court, but acknowledged the absence of women administrators at a high level in the federation.

The Sport and Rights Alliance, a global coalition of non-governmental organizations that promotes human rights in sports, called on the International Olympic Committee to ensure a transparent, independent and impartial investigation.

“I can assure you that all the girls will feel protected and we are working to address all the concerns raised by the wrestlers,” Sports Minister Anurag Thakur told Reuters.

However, in Haryana, home to more than 5,000 wrestling schools large and small with a track record of producing some of India’s best female athletes, wrestlers expressed their dismay.

“We couldn’t believe how some of the best fighters were forced to leave their practice ground and take to the streets seeking justice,” said one of them, Anjani Kashyap.

“It showed a terrifying side of sports culture in the country,” he added.

Reporting by Rupam Jain; Edited by Clarence Fernandez

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