West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has voiced her support for the wrestlers who have accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation. The wrestlers have been protesting since April 23, demanding that an FIR be filed against Singh, who is also a leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In a tweet, Banerjee said that everyone should stand with the wrestlers who are speaking in one voice. She added that sportspersons are the pride of the nation and that the guilty must be brought to book, regardless of their political affiliation. Banerjee’s comments have come at a time when the BJP is facing a lot of criticism over the alleged misconduct of its leaders towards women.
The wrestlers have alleged that Singh had been harassing them for years and that they were forced to perform sexual acts with him. They also claimed that Singh had threatened them with dire consequences if they spoke out against him. The wrestlers said that they had approached the police with their complaints, but no action had been taken against Singh.
The issue had come to light last year when the wrestlers had first made the allegations against Singh. However, no action had been taken against him, and the matter had been brushed under the carpet. However, the wrestlers resumed their agitation last week, demanding that an FIR be filed against Singh and that he be brought to justice.
The WFI had initially denied the allegations against Singh, but later, it had formed a committee to investigate the matter. However, the committee’s findings are yet to be made public, and the wrestlers have accused the WFI of trying to cover up the matter. The wrestlers have also said that they would continue their protest until their demands are met.
The issue has gained a lot of traction on social media, with many people voicing their support for the wrestlers. The hashtag #SpeakUpForWrestlers has been trending on Twitter for the past few days, with people from all walks of life expressing their solidarity with the wrestlers.
The incident has once again brought the issue of sexual harassment in sports to the fore. Over the past few years, there have been several instances of sportspersons coming forward with allegations of harassment and abuse. However, in many cases, the authorities have been accused of not taking the complaints seriously, leading to a culture of silence and impunity.
It is essential that the authorities take the allegations of sexual harassment seriously and conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the matter. The guilty must be brought to justice, and steps should be taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. Sportspersons, particularly women, should feel safe and secure while pursuing their dreams and representing their country at the international level.
The incident has also highlighted the need for better mechanisms to address complaints of harassment and abuse in sports. It is essential that sports organizations have a robust mechanism in place to deal with such complaints and that sportspersons are aware of their rights and how to seek redressal if they face any form of harassment or abuse.
