Sakshi Malik, the bronze medallist at the Rio Olympics, made headlines by announcing her retirement from wrestling on 21st December (Thursday). Her decision was driven by her protest against Sanjay Singh, an ally of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, securing the top position in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) election held in New Delhi.
Sanjay Singh Became the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President
On 21st December, Sanjay Singh assumed the presidency of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), as his team secured a significant number of positions in the long-awaited polls. Outgoing chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh indirectly gained control over the sports body.
The heavily postponed elections for the Wrestling Federation of India took place on Thursday, delivering little surprise in their results. As anticipated, the supporters of former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh overwhelmingly claimed victory, securing a commanding majority.
Sakshi Malik Statement After Sanjay Singh Became WFI President
” I fought with all my heart, but if someone like Brij Bhushan, his business partner, and a close associate becomes the president of WFI, I’ll step away from wrestling,” said Sakshi with tears in her eyes, making a dramatic announcement as she placed her shoes on the table.
“We were hoping for a female president, but unfortunately, that didn’t materialize,” added the 31-year-old, who is also a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games.
https://twitter.com/SakshiMalik/status/1737803756069167542
Before the elections, Olympic medal-winning wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi had urged Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to prevent anyone connected to Brij Bhushan from participating in the WFI polls.
As a result, neither Brij Bhushan’s son Prateek nor his son-in-law Vishal Singh entered the competition.
Bajrang and Vinesh Phogat, who spoke to the media after the elections, didn’t confirm whether they’d retire from the sport.
“It’s disappointing that the government didn’t uphold its promise to keep Brij Bhushan’s supporters out of the WFI election,” expressed Bajrang.
“Upcoming female wrestlers might also face exploitation,” added Vinesh.
Also Read: Wrestlers protest: Over 700 detained, FIR registered against organisers
Reason Behind Retirement of Sakshi Malik: Full Case Study
In January 2023, thirty Indian wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Anshu Malik, and Bajrang Punia, held a sit-in. They accused Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and its coaches of sexually harassing female players over several years. They demanded to disband the WFI. The protests ceased in January 2023 after the government pledged to establish an oversight committee to investigate these serious allegations. However, in April 2023, the protesting wrestlers resumed their demonstrations, citing the authorities’ lack of action.
There are seven complainants involved in the case, one of whom is a minor. The FIRs filed mention allegations against Bhushan and WFI secretary Vinod Tomar. These allegations include instances where sexual favors were demanded in exchange for professional assistance in at least two cases. There were also at least 15 reported incidents of sexual harassment, encompassing groping, inappropriate touching involving breasts, navel, and buttocks, along with several instances of intimidation, including stalking. The complainant wrestlers express that Bhushan’s actions have left them deeply traumatized.
According to the FIRs, the women wrestlers only went out in groups to have meals to avoid being alone with Bhushan. One of the complainants mentioned that Bhushan threatened her with consequences during the upcoming tournament trials when she resisted his attempts to initiate physical contact. She also mentioned facing significant discrimination during these trials.
Vinesh Phogat, a multiple medalist at the World Wrestling Championships, alleged that she faced “mental harassment, torture, and death threats” from Bhushan after she lodged complaints against him with Prime Minister Modi and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. She expressed that she was subjected to intense media scrutiny for speaking out, with the situation being tied to her not winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
The reported incidents span from 2012 to 2022 and occurred in various locations, including restaurants, the WFI office, tournaments, and during warm-ups. Allegations suggest that these incidents took place during both domestic and international tournaments abroad. One of the female wrestlers accused Bhushan of sending individuals to intimidate her family, warning of severe repercussions if she disclosed the incidents to the Committee set up by the WFI. Another wrestler mentioned personally informing Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the alleged harassment. Following this, the Prime Minister assured her that the sports ministry would address the matter.
On May 18, 2023, the accused, Bhushan, also remarked that the Olympic medals earned by the wrestlers were worth just 15 Indian Rupees (INR 15).
Highlighting the Seriousness of the Allegations:
Facing grave accusations of misconduct, Brij Bhushan, the embattled WFI president, has adamantly denied any involvement. In a defiant stance, he has refused to relinquish his post, instead criticizing the protesting wrestlers’ evolving demands. However, the seriousness of the charges cast a shadow over Bhushan’s claims, particularly his assertion that only a segment of wrestlers oppose him, with reports suggesting wider dissent. Adding to the controversy, Bhushan’s threats to alter the POCSO Act, a pillar of child protection in India, and his pronouncements about the alleged misuse of women’s protection laws have further fueled concerns about his commitment to safeguarding athletes.
The Preliminary Investigation
The oversight committee, led by Mary Kom and formed on January 23, 2023, submitted its report to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on April 5. The committee interrogated Bhushan and other witnesses. Babita Phogat, a committee member, claimed that witness statements weren’t cross-verified, and her objections weren’t included in the report. While the report’s findings aren’t public, according to the Press Trust of India, it exonerated Bhushan.
The government-led committee found that WFI lacked an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) mandated by the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act 2013. The existing Sexual Harassment Committee had four men and one woman, violating the law requiring an ICC to be led by a woman and with more than half female members. Protesting wrestlers alleged the committee sought audio and video evidence of harassment. Complainants in the FIR alleged tampering with video recordings of their statements to protect Bhushan. They also claimed the committee aimed to justify Bhushan’s actions and had decided, per Singh’s instructions, to absolve him.
Also Read: ‘Players are being harassed’: Top Indian wrestler protest against WFI at Jantar Mantar
An Overview of the Protests
FIR registration and Supreme Court intervention
In April 2023, the wrestlers resumed their protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, renewing their demands for Bhushan’s arrest and the public release of the government-appointed committee’s report. They claimed no progress had been made in addressing their concerns. Despite seven wrestlers filing police complaints against Bhushan, Delhi Police didn’t register an FIR.
The complainants then approached the Supreme Court of India when the Delhi Police didn’t file the FIR. During the proceedings, Kapil Sibal, representing the wrestlers, cited Bhushan’s political affiliations as a reason for the delay in registering the FIR. Meanwhile, the Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi Police, sought time for an inquiry but eventually informed the court that the FIR would be registered. The court dismissed the request for a retired judge’s oversight in the investigations.
Subsequently, two FIRs were filed against Bhushan by the Delhi Police on April 28, one under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO Act) and the other for outraging modesty. The offences under the POCSO Act necessitate immediate arrests without a court warrant, yet Bhushan wasn’t arrested, sparking accusations of unequal application of the law. Additionally, the FIRs included IPC sections 354 (assault with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 34 (common intention) against Bhushan.
The wrestlers alleged that the government cut off electricity, water, and food supplies at the protest site. Furthermore, Delhi Police detained Delhi University students who were supporting the protests.
The Conflict at Jantar Mantar
According to Delhi Police, on May 3, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti and his supporters arrived at the protest site with camp beds without permission. When police intervened, there was reportedly a confrontation termed a “minor altercation,” resulting in the detention of Bharti and other supporting politicians. Bajrang Punia, leading the protests, claimed that he, along with Vinesh, Sangeeta, Dushyant Phogat, and Rahul Yadav, were assaulted and mishandled by the police. They stated the beds were purchased for sleeping after rainfall. Protesters alleged that an inebriated policeman misbehaved with and verbally abused Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Sangeeta Phogat. The clashes caused Vinesh to sustain a knee injury and Rahul Yadav a head injury. Another allegedly intoxicated policeman allegedly struck Dushyant Phogat, resulting in a head injury. When the wrestlers demanded the policeman undergo a medical test, he was taken away by the police. Delhi Police, however, stated in a subsequent press release that no force was used. There were no female constables present at the site. Subsequently, the protest site was sealed off with heavy barricades by Delhi Police. Additionally, a female journalist covering the protests alleged that Delhi Police mistreated her.
Also Read: Wrestlers’ protest: Delhi Police file status report before court, record victims’ statements
SIT Formation and Witness Questioning
The Delhi Police has assembled a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the case involving Bhushan, taking statements from Bhushan and the women wrestlers under Section 164 CrPC before a magistrate. Throughout their inquiry, various individuals including a coach, an Olympian wrestler, a Commonwealth medalist wrestler, and a referee have acknowledged being aware of the alleged incidents of sexual harassment during questioning by the Delhi Police. Anita Sheoran, the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, supported one of the complainant’s statements. Bhushan has been interrogated twice by the SIT and has consistently refuted all accusations, asserting that he has been wrongfully accused. WFI secretary Vinod Tomar has also faced questioning by the SIT in relation to the case. Allegedly, the Delhi Police requested video footage, and photographs, and even sought to reenact the scenes of the harassment incidents from the protesting wrestlers as evidence. These wrestlers have additionally claimed that the government is pressuring them to withdraw their cases against Bhushan. Moreover, a minor involved in the case, whose statement was recorded under Section 164 CrPC, withdrew her case purportedly due to pressure on her father.
Legal experts emphasize that a woman’s testimony stands as primary evidence in cases of sexual harassment, given the absence of photographic or video documentation of the incidents. The court also needs to ascertain whether there exists a motive prompting the complainants to fabricate allegations in such cases. While the police may request photos or videos, such evidence is not mandatory for the complainant to provide. Legal experts have expressed concerns about the investigative approach employed by the Delhi Police in this matter.
New Parliament House March and Detainment
Before the New Parliament House inauguration by Narendra Modi on May 28, 2023, an advisory committee of protesters planned a women’s assembly there. Despite warnings from the Delhi police, protestors aimed to march to the site. Police from Delhi and Haryana heavily barricaded and made arrests to prevent supporters from joining the march. There was significant police presence in Haryana villages to deter people from heading to Delhi. The police also blocked Delhi’s borders to prevent Khap leaders and farmers from joining the wrestlers’ march. Many farm leaders and supporters were detained and arrested.
As the protestors peacefully marched toward the New Parliament House, they were forcefully stopped, dragged, and detained by Delhi Police and security personnel. Wrestlers were forced into police buses and taken to various stations. Detained protestors accused the government of using police brutality to silence them. They claimed they were protesting peacefully when police began dragging them, even mistreating women by tearing their clothes. Around 15 security personnel, mostly policewomen were injured. The police charged around 700 people, including 109 protestors, with rioting and obstructing public servants. After the clash and detainment, the Delhi Police cleared the protest site, removing cots, mattresses, fans, and tarpaulin ceilings, declaring that permanent sit-in protests wouldn’t be allowed.
Pictures of Vinesh, Punia, and Malik smiling surfaced on social media during the day of the arrests. Bajrang Punia alleged that these photos were doctored by an “IT cell.” The Delhi police planned to convert an Outer-Delhi school into a temporary jail due to the tense law and order situation near the New Parliament building, but the Delhi Mayor refused this request. The arrests of the protesting wrestlers by Delhi Police received widespread condemnation.
On May 30, 2023, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat announced plans to throw their medals into the Ganga River and commence an indefinite fast at India Gate. However, after discussions with Naresh Tikait and other farmer leaders, the wrestlers decided against immersing their medals and returned. On the same day, the farmer union Samyukt Kisan Morcha called for nationwide support for the protests on June 1, 2023.
A video revealing the identity of a minor girl complainant in the case went viral on social media, constituting a criminal offense under the POCSO Act and Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code. The Delhi Commission for Women demanded that a case be filed against the individual who disclosed the complainant’s identity.
Meeting with the Sports Minister and the Filing of a Chargesheet
On June 7, 2023, the protesting wrestlers met Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and decided to suspend their protests until June 15. They indicated intentions to resume if the government didn’t take action by then. The wrestlers mentioned that the government assured them of dropping charges filed during their march to the New Parliament’s inauguration. However, on June 15, Delhi Police filed charges against Brij Bhushan under sections 354, 354A, and 354D of the Indian Penal Code, and Vinod Tomar under sections 109 and 506. They also reported the cancellation of the minor’s case. The protesting wrestlers allege that Delhi Police diluted charges against Bhushan to protect him, especially by attempting to cancel the minor complainant’s case.
Also Read: Wrestlers protest: Sports Ministry asks IOA to set up Ad-hoc committee for transparent polls in WFI
The Aftermath
Sanjay Singh, Brij Bhushan’s associate, won the election for the WFI president on December 21, defeating Anita Sheoran, backed by the protesting wrestlers. Vinesh Phogat referred to Singh as Bhushan’s close associate. In protest against Singh’s election, Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from wrestling on the same day.
Before the election, Indian wrestlers had been competing as neutral participants because WFI failed to meet the deadline set by United World Wrestling to elect a new president by August 2023.
