Since January 2023, Indian wrestlers have been protesting in Jantar Mantar against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for sexual harassment of female wrestlers and a minor. Delhi Police has reportedly registered two FIRs against him. Vinod Tomar, secretary of WFI, is also one of the accused. The protesting wrestlers demanded an investigation and the removal of Singh from the WFI post. Even farmers and Khap leaders have extended their support to the protesting wrestlers. Recently, during a silent protest march towards the new Parliament House, they were stopped by the police and their tents and other items were removed from Jantar Mantar. 'Anupamaa' actor Madalsa Sharma speaks on this pressing issue.
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“My take on wrestlers' agitation is that they should be given an immediate solution. The culprit should be identified and necessary action should be taken as soon as possible,” she says.
The government is still silent on the issue. “A lot of good work has been done to uplift women but still much has to be done especially when it comes to sports. The levels of performance of our medal winners have gone quite high. Still, they need more investment in terms of coaching and equipment. Government should provide them with money and fair play while selection,” she adds.
Women’s participation in sports can help to provide better representation for women in leadership roles, still, we forget how to treat them with respect and equality. Even though we have developed the capacity to control robots to do our bidding in the twenty-first century, gender equality in our country is one area where we have made very little progress.
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Reacting, Madalsa shares, “Gender equality is always a question in every field of work. Women have to be more strong and assertive and should not wait for men to donate. Be ready to grab every opportunity and make the most of it.”
