WFI: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Must Go
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By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2023-04-29 12:24:42
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The India Commentary view
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Just as the judicial system tries to weigh down the litigants with the tareekh pe tareekh culture, the government is also trying to fool the agitating wrestlers with the committee pe committee culture. Having formed one fact-finding committee with M C Mary Kom (no less) as chairperson after the wrestlers hit the streets the first time in January this year and without informing any one about what the committee found out, the government is trying to pacify the wrestlers, who have once again assembled at Jantar Mantar to highlight continued inaction by the government against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). But the wrestlers have rejected the suggestion and have said that they will not budge till Singh is arrested.
After the lashing from the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police have also moved against Singh. Two FIRs have been filed on the written complaints of 7 female wrestlers. One of the FIRs has been filed under Pocso, suggesting that one complainant was a minor. It is sad that initially the Delhi Police tried to shirk responsibility by saying that it needed to conduct a preliminary investigation before filing the FIR. Is it because Singh is a BJP leader with immense clout? For, otherwise, the Delhi cops file FIRs quickly. The government has a lot to answer. It tried to break the agitation (as some wrestlers have alleged) by using Babita Phogat, three time Commonwealth medallist who is a BJP member now. Sports minister Anurag Thakur met the wrestlers twice in January and promised action. But nothing happened in the last three months. Now the ministry wants to form another committee whose report will gather dust.
Ramayana says that a person in authority must not only be pure but must also appear to be so. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh faces serious allegation of sexual harassment. His continuance as WFI president is morally wrong and cannot be accepted as he has lost the trust of those who win medals for the country. The allegations are serious and a number of top wrestlers have staked their careers in supporting the female wrestlers allegedly molested by him. The government must remove him from the post and let the law take its course.
