The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has appeared before a probe committee to answer questions regarding the recent sexual harassment allegations against the federation. The committee was set up by the Sports Ministry to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action.
The allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI first surfaced in April 2021, when a female wrestler accused the federation of not taking action against her coach for making inappropriate advances towards her. The wrestler also alleged that the WFI had failed to provide her with a safe environment to practice in.
The allegations sparked a nationwide outcry and the Sports Ministry set up a three-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee is headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, and includes former Delhi High Court judge, Justice S. Muralidhar, and former Indian Olympic Association president, N. Ramachandran.
The committee has been tasked with looking into the allegations of sexual harassment and taking appropriate action. The committee has also been asked to look into the functioning of the WFI and suggest measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the WFI President, appeared before the committee on May 11, 2021. He was accompanied by the WFI Secretary General, Rajeev Tomar, and other senior officials.
During the hearing, Singh was asked to explain the WFI’s response to the allegations and the measures taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. He was also asked to explain the WFI’s policy on sexual harassment and the steps taken to ensure that the policy is implemented.
The committee has also asked the WFI to provide details of the internal inquiry conducted by the federation into the allegations. The committee has also asked the WFI to provide details of the action taken against the accused coach.
The committee is expected to submit its report to the Sports Ministry within the next few weeks. The report will be made public and the ministry will take appropriate action based on the recommendations of the committee.
The allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI have raised serious questions about the functioning of the federation and the safety of female wrestlers. The committee’s report will be closely watched by the sports fraternity and the general public. It is hoped that the report will bring about much-needed reforms in the functioning of the WFI and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
