‘If Brij Bhushan’s loyalists contest and win, there won’t be any reforms in the Wrestling federation’ – WFI president election candidate Anita Sheoran

After six women wrestlers filed complaints of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan, the Delhi police filed a chargesheet. He was granted bail but an on-going hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at the Rouse Avenue court, a day before the polls.

But Anita says Brij Bhushan’s reign over the WFI can end only if his loyalists like Sanjay Kumar, a vice-president of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association, are weeded out. Anita is banking on the promise of the government that the prominent faces of the protest – wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat – will have a say on who will occupy the key posts of president, general secretary and treasurer.

“Nobody close to Brij Bhushan should be contesting these elections. If Brij Bhushan’s loyalists contest and win, there won’t be any reforms in the Wrestling federation. Brij Bhushan still has a strong grip over the WFI. Everyone knows that the person I am contesting against is close to Brij Bhushan. If women wrestlers are to feel safe, WFI needs a proper clean up. If the elections don’t bring about change then what is the point,” Anita told The Indian Express on Sunday.

Brij Bhushan, the BJP MP from Kaiserganj, was found liable for prosecution for sexual harassment, molestation and stalking of women wrestlers in the chargesheet of Delhi Police.

Anita, a 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, is a witness and a corroborator in the case against him. She is backed by Bajrang, Sakshi and Vinesh, who were leading the protests demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan at Jantar Mantar.

Anita, is a police inspector posted in Rohtak, and has assisted in cases of Protection of Children in Sexual Offences Act.

Anita admits that sports administration will be a challenge. However, being a wrestler with first-hand knowledge of how the system works, she knows what has to be set right.
“I have been a wrestler for two decades and I know what wrestlers need to excel. I won’t compromise when it comes to putting the needs of wrestlers first. In the current context of sexual harassment allegations, a woman president is the need of the hour. It will also be a message to all women that they will be protected if they raise their voice against harassment,” Anita added.

Hotline for complaints

The former wrestler said in addition to setting up a proactive Internal Complaints Committee she would also like to have a WFI hotline for complaints.

“I want to establish a system where wrestlers can easily register their complaints with the WFI and action is taken quickly. Everyone will have a voice and nobody will have to live in fear of officials. The WFI was being run like a one-man show and that must end. We can’t have the same people pulling strings even after the elections,” Anita added.

Also on her wish-list, if she is elected, is making counselling accessible for wrestlers, getting on board the best physios and the upskilling of coaches.

“A lot of wrestlers are from a rural background. Many of them stop studies once they start winning medals. But only a handful make it to the highest level. It is important that academics and wrestling happen side-by-side because not everyone can succeed at the highest level. Wrestlers need a safety net too.”

She also wants to see a change in the approach to coaching. “At an early age the focus should be on developing skill and technique rather than strength. We need to have a modern outlook and embrace the latest developments. We can’t be doing what we have been doing for years without understanding if it is helping young wrestlers or not.”

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had set aside the stay imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, paving the way for elections for a new WFI governing body. The elections were to happen in August but were delayed because of court cases. Not conducting polls resulted in the world body, United World Wrestling, suspending the WFI. When Indian wrestlers participate at international events, they do so under the UWW flag.

Last week Bajrang and Sakshi had met sports minister Anurag Thakur. It is learnt that the wrestlers wanted Sanjay Kumar to withdraw from the race.

“This election is very significant for wrestling. If the right people win then wrestling will return to its glory days, else the sport will suffer. My appeal to those who really care about the sport is to ensure there is change in the WFI.”