One of the demands was to introduce Supreme Court’s Visakha Guidelines against sexual harassment in sports federations.
Published May 29, 2023 | 12:27 PM ⚊ Updated May 30, 2023 | 12:21 PM
Civil rights activist, sportsperson and citizens stand in solidarity in Bengaluru. (Deeksha Devadiga/South First)
Sportspersons, writers, intellectuals, and several citizen groups gathered at the Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Sunday, 28 May, in solidarity with the wrestlers protesting against sexual harassment in Delhi.
They condemned the ill-treatment meted out to the wrestlers by the Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel in Delhi on Sunday, and demanded justice for the grapplers who have brought glory to the country.
Arjuna awardees swimmer Nisha Millet, athlete Reeth Abraham, and historian and author Ramachandra Guha, and several former sports journalists joined the solidarity event.
Abraham decried the lack of change in the situation from 40 years ago when she started her career.
Swimmer Nisha Millet and Athlete Reeth Abraham at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. (Deeksha Devadiga/South First)
“The saddest part is nothing much has changed over the years. If the wrestlers, who have won gold medals for us and brought glory for us are ill-treated, you can only imagine the injustice faced by the up-and-coming athletes,” she said.
“Remove politicians from the sports scene and don’t let them call the shots for sportspersons. Only then will things be alright,” the former national champion in heptathlon added.
Nisha Millet said the time was ripe to set the situation right for the next generation of sportspersons.
“We are here to say that this is not right. We stand with the wrestlers and we stand with any athlete who has been harassed by a person in power irrespective of their gender,” she told South First.
Why does it have to come down to our wrestlers being dragged around without any consideration? This isn’t the way to treat anyone.
I really hope this whole situation is assessed the way it should be.— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 28, 2023
The wrestlers, who have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for the past 35 days, were detained when they tried to march towards the new Parliament House on Sunday morning.
Historian and author Ramachandra Guha condemned the arrest of wrestlers in Delhi. (Deeksha Devadiga /South First)
Pictures of the ugly scenes on Delhi roads went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage.
The wrestlers have been protesting against the inordinate delay in initiating action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, BJP MP and the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), accused of sexually harassing seven female wrestlers, including a minor.
Several top wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, were detained and dragged away while trying to march to the Parliament building, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi amidst an Opposition boycott on Sunday.
They marched to Central Vista as part of intensifying their protest and attending a Mahila Mahapanchayat called by khap panchayats.
WFI chief Singh, also a BJP member in the Lok Sabha from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj, was in the Parliament House when the wrestlers were bundled into police vehicles and whisked away.
At the solidarity event, historian Ramachandra Guha pointed out the insensitivity of the government towards the wrestlers.
“It is utterly dismaying that even a month after the start of a protest so moving and non-violent, the government could be so cruel and insensitive to these exemplary sportspeople who are also the citizens of the county,” he said.
Priya, a student of sports management, told South First that she represented the next generation of sportspersons.
“I am here as a representative of the next generation who is taking to sports. Why are we always waiting on something major to happen before we speak out,” the 19-year-old asked.
Why can’t we take steps to prevent such incidents? Having an enthusiasm for cricket and IPL is alright, but also be aware of what’s happening on the other side of the coin. Stand for all sportspersons who play for the country,” she said.
Citizens, sports lovers, former sports journalists, and about 18 civil society organisations expressed solidarity with the wrestlers.
Citizens groups and activists demand the immediate arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh. (Deeksha Devadiga/South First)
Their other demands included the introduction of the Supreme Court’s Visakha Guidelines against sexual harassment in sports Federations too.
The wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar since April 23 demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, who they have accused of having sexually harassed seven female wrestlers, including a minor.
