New Delhi: Detailing the pattern of sexual harassment and abuse suffered by Indian wrestlers at the hands of former Wrestling Federation Of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh, the Sports & Rights Alliance (SRA) in a report has said that the “the breadth and extent of Singh’s abuse is far greater than those contained in his criminal charges.”
SRA, which has been monitoring the allegations of abuse levelled by Indian wrestlers against Singh, in its report released on Tuesday said that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) failed to adequately support the aggrieved wrestlers. “The Indian Olympic Association failed to investigate or provide access to remedy for Indian wrestlers protesting sexual harassment and violence for more than a year,” it said.
The global coalition of rights organisations interviewed several women wrestlers who were allegedly abused by Singh and has published their testimonies in the report which can be read here.
‘Indian society normalises abuse and harassment’
“Indian society normalises abuse and harassment. They will only take it seriously when the assault is gruesome. But it is like how we fight a wrestling bout. Whether we lose by one point or by ten, we lose. Whether the assault is big or small, it is an assault. An act against our will,” Vinesh Phogat, two-time Olympian and Paris 2024 contender told SRA.
Phogat, along with fellow wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, was at the helm of the year-long protests against Singh when he was a sitting Bharatiya Janata Party MP. She saw a vicious hate campaign, including death threats, unfold against her with Singh, and many others, questioning her abilities. In April this year, Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for a third Olympics.
“Who will listen? If such great athletes did not get justice or if they struggled so much to be heard, imagine: How can a normal person feel safe?” she told SRA.
Farce of an investigative committee
The report details the wrestlers’ experience of testifying before a special, five-member committee constituted by the government in January 2023, shortly after the public protests against Singh began.
The wrestlers described the committee’s approach as ‘skeptical’. They wanted to see video and audio “proof” of Singh’s abuse, the report said.
“The committees were created with people who themselves did not know what sexual harassment is,” Sangeeta Phogat told SRA, while another wrestler described her testimony of abuse as “not being heard…misunderstood and misinterpreted.”
Outlining these victim-blaming attitudes of the committee, the SRA said, “When athletes sense that the system meant to protect them is set up first and foremost to blame victims and believe perpetrators, it not only harms the healing process for those athletes, but makes moving forward with an investigation nearly impossible, and dissuades other survivors from reporting.”
While the committee’s report, submitted in April 2023, was not made available to the public, it did not recommend any action against Singh. Protests against Singh resumed.
‘Institutional reform has not taken place’
In light of the allegations and the sustained public outcry against Singh, WFI was asked to hold fresh elections in May 2023 or face suspension. These elections were marred by confusion, legal disputes and delayed several times. Ultimately, Sanjay Singh, a close friend of Brij Bhushan, was elected as the WFI chief. Sanjay celebrated his victory at Brij Bhushan’s house under a banner which read, “Dab Dabba Hai, Dab Dabba Rahega (We dominate, our domination will continue).”
Questioning India’s institutional response to the wrestler’s allegations, SRA director Andrea Florence, said, “The succession of someone so closely connected to the alleged abuser is a clear sign that systemic reform has not taken place. There must be an extensive, transparent investigation into the full scope of Singh’s abuse and the culture, systems, and processes that enabled it for over 10 years.”
“During their months-long protests demanding protection and Singh’s accountability, the wrestlers were subjected to harassment, threats, arrest, and detention in retaliation for their demands,” Human Rights Watch said.
Recommendations
The report makes several recommendations to the Indian government, United World Wrestling, and the IOC.
To the Indian government, the report recommended an “investigation of the Delhi Police’s role in leaking confidential information about athlete accusations of abuse”. It also asked for the 2023 report submitted by the special committee to be made public.
“In collaboration with the IOC, fully investigate the WFI and make the findings public,” the report says in its recommendation to the UWW, adding that “Background checks as a procedural requirement for administrative or governance positions at both national and international level of wrestling” should be conducted.
Additionally, the report recommended a hotline for athletes facing abuse. ““For athletes facing abuse, a hotline is a lifeline,” said Joanna Maranhão, network coordinator at the SRA. However, the current IOC hotline is not fit for purpose. It lacks the most important element of a trauma-informed approach: someone who actively listens. Making the choice to seek help is already a struggle. It is essential that the paths to justice and healing are clear and efficient.”
