Case Report
Allegations of Sexual Harassment / Sextortion by the Protesting Women Wrestlers of India Against an Indian Politician - Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh (Brij Bhushan) - of the Ruling Regime
Brij Bhushan. Photo: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
No Action
Since the accused – Brij Bhushan – in this case belongs to the ruling regime of PM Modi in India, no action is being taken against him despite a constant protest by the victims and their supporters in New Delhi.
Photo (WFI): Modi with Wrestlers
Violation of Fundamental Rights
While the fundamental rights of women wrestlers are being violated, they have no judicial forum in India where they can go and get justice. (Photos: WFI)
A group of internationally recognized women wrestlers have formally accused Brij Bhushan of serious sextortion / sexual harassment offences.
It is alleged in the first information report (FIR) of Delhi Police that Brij Bhushan had been demanding “sexual favours” from the female wrestlers. The Supreme Court of India has handled the case in a casual manner.
The wrestlers including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia are leading the protest with support from thousands of citizens from different walks of life.
The international organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United World Wrestling (UWW) have issued some perfunctory statements about the protesting Indian wrestlers, but they have not taken any punitive or formal legal action against the accused in this case.
Latest News June 7, 2023
Directionless Protest
The protest being led by Indian wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia against the accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is going totally haywire.
After meeting sports minister Anurag Thakur on June 7 and home minister Amit Shah the previous week, the protesting wrestlers have failed to get what they demand – the imprisonment of Brij Bhushan. Strangely, however, according to reports the wrestlers have stopped their protest.
Since the wrestlers are surrounded by naive or almost illiterate supporters, they are not able to articulate their demands for which they have been protesting. While their main demand is the arrest of Brij Bhushan, they should discuss other issues only after his arrest.
Instead of having a friendly tête-à-tête with the cunning BJP ministers, the wrestlers need to think wisely about the direction of their protest which has already gone directionless.
Media Reports
Female wrestlers who have accused a powerful official of sexual harassment.
"‘Dictatorship’: Protesting Indian wrestlers charged with rioting"
Police inaction against ruling party MP accused of sexual harassment.
The New York Times. May 31, 2023
Al Jazeera. May 28 2023