The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– May 1, 2023; Day 428

Desperate for justice: On the issue of exploitation and India’s medal-winning wrestlers

Wrestling needs to be rescued from its feudal (Relating to an old social system) culture of exploitation 

India’s leading wrestlers, especially women supported by their male counterparts (A person or thing having the same function or characteristics as another), have again taken to the streets in Delhi. If the first protest was during the winter in January, the latest is happening in peak summer at Jantar Mantar. That both the biting (Causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation; used especially of cold) cold and the searing (Become superficially burned) heat did not diminish these athletes’ determination to air their sexual-harassment grievances against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) office-bearers, especially its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, is a reflection of their trauma (An emotional wound or shock often having long-lasting effects). It also reveals their sheer (Complete and without restriction or qualification) despondency (Feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless) as even the Oversight Committee led by Olympian Mary Kom set to clean up the system, has not yielded any results. That three inconclusive months have lapsed (End, at least for a long time) since the first public complaint is another pointer to the inhumane (Lacking and reflecting lack of pity or compassion) reaction that often trails (to make (a track or path) through (a place)) sexual-harassment allegations. First there is silence from people in authority, then there are furious (Marked by extreme anger) denials, and third, insinuations (An indirect (and usually malicious) implication) are allowed to seep (Pass gradually) in about the victim’s morality. Brij Bhushan may have stepped aside from the day-to-day functioning of the WFI but this sports administrator, essentially a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, has enough clout (Special advantage or influence) to stymie (Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of) efforts to prise (to expel with difficulty) him out from the federation.

Wrestling harks (heard) back to India’s rural heartland, especially North India, and is seen by sportspersons as an opportunity to escape the suffocating feudal atmosphere. The trust in a coach or official borders on blind devotion and this trait gets exploited. To not accept gender-violence as a sordid (Morally degraded; unpleasant and offensive; slovenly) reality and to sweep it under the political-rivalry carpet does no good to Indian sport. This is not about the central government pitted (Set into opposition or rivalry) against the opposition; it is about fairness in dealing with athletes. The Indian Olympic Association president, P.T. Usha, an icon for many, made it worse by stating that the athletes are tarnishing the country’s image. Be it Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik or Bajrang Punia, who have led the protests, their quest for justice and desire for a complete overhaul of the WFI structure are genuine endeavours (Earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something). The Supreme Court’s directive that forced the Delhi Police to lodge a first information report against Brij Bhushan is a step in the right direction. More was expected from the larger sporting fraternity but with the exception of Olympic gold medallists Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra, the rest, especially the much-feted (celebrated) cricketers, have responded feebly. Kapil Dev and a few other players besides Sania Mirza voiced their concern through social media. But these remain the few volleys (a burst or outpouring of many things at once or in quick succession) of resistance. India’s medal-winning wrestlers deserve better.

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