June 07, 2023

India's female athletes lead the fight for gender equality

topic:	Women's rights
located:	India
editor:	Sanjana Chawla

India’s award-winning wrestlers have been protesting in the streets of its capital city Delhi along with thousands of supporters since 23 April to demand the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and a Member of Parliament (MP). Singh has been accused of harassing and exploiting seven female wrestlers, including a minor.

Some of the prominent names in the wrestling community who are advocating for justice for women athletes and wrestlers include Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sangita Phogat and Sakshi Malik.

Female wrestler Sakshi Malik, who has won the Asian Games and the World Championship twice, the Commonwealth Games thrice and the Asian Championships eight times, has been protesting at Jantar Mantar as well. In a statement, she shared that the Delhi Police took seven days to register a FIR (First Information Report) against the WFI President and that no stringent action has been taken against him since. 

Despite receiving support from opposition parties, fellow sportspersons, farmers and civilians from India and across the world, female athletes have yet to see Singh apprehended or held accountable in any way. In a recent statement, Singh even accused female wrestlers of misusing laws designed to protect women. 

While Section 354 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) provides punishment for those who harass or outrage a woman’s modesty are liable to punishment, but the Indian Constitution has failed to protect the rights of women in the country, including female wrestlers. Similarly, since Singh is also accused of harassing a minor, he is also in violation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCOS Act). Despite this he has yet to be arrested or charged with the offence as of yet.

On 28 May, while India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the country were celebrating the reopening of the reconstructed Indian Parliament, protesters marching towards the India Gate were detained. They were allegedly loaded onto buses, beaten, threatened and booked for protesting and rioting. In response, the wrestlers issued a statement vowing to go on a hunger strike until death and immerse their medals in the River Ganga in Haridwar. 

This ongoing protest is the largest gathering in India focused on women's safety and the most widespread sports protest ever seen in the country. It raises important questions about the treatment of women workers and sportswomen in India. Between 2010 - 2020, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) received as many as 45 complaints of sexual harassment, with over 25 filed against coaches. India has a long history of sexual exploitation in sports and between August 2022 and April 2023, at least five instances of sexual harassment of women athletes were formally recorded. 

Alongside sexual exploitation, this protest has also shed light on several other issues within the sport world, including gender discrimination, lack of opportunities and poor treatment of athletes. Despite the rising popularity of women's wrestling in India, female wrestlers still face challenges in securing the same opportunities, funding and pay as their male counterparts. They also experience gender discrimination and mistreatment by coaches and officials.

Indian women wrestlers have persisted in advocating for their rights and demanding change despite the challenges they face. They are currently fighting for better treatment and greater accountability from the government, sports federation, and officials in Delhi. These women are global figures and a source of pride for the country, yet they have been denied justice, protection, and support. They deserve a safe environment to work and earn in.

Image by Anilsharma26.

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