New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), battling a sexual harassment scandal, may need to safeguard women wrestlers to get its suspension lifted, the game’s global governing body said on Saturday. The Wrestling Federation of India was suspended by the United World Wrestling (UWW) in August after failing to hold its election on time. The UWW had asked for a fresh election after the WFI’s then-president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, was charged with sexual harassment and criminal intimidation. TOP PICKS FOR YOU story FM pats state IT wing for bettering nat’l growth rate story 'Ra.One' director Anubhav Sinha reviews 'Dunki', says he can't decide if he likes Shah Rukh Khan, the person or the actor story Tamil Nadu: School teacher elopes with Class XI boy, brought back & booked under Pocso Act Singh has denied wrongdoing and is out on bail, but the victory of a candidate he backed as his successor in Thursday’s election has triggered fresh protest. Powered By VDO.AI
PlayUnmute Fullscreen Sakshi Malik, a top woman wrestler quit the game in protest, while male wrestler and fellow Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia returned one of India’s highest civilian awards. “Conditions to address the concerns about safeguarding could also be requested,” a UWW spokesperson said, when asked about the possibility of lifting the suspension on the WFI. “We are still gathering feedback from representatives onsite to determine if the conduct of the election was valid and well organised,” the spokesperson said by email. “Before we can lift the suspension, we need to receive the official information from the national federation and the confirmation by the NOC (National Olympic Committee) and the Ministry of Sports.” Wrestlers staged a sit-in protest against Singh in New Delhi. Reuters Explore Your Financial Landscape with Personalized Credit Insights.
The situation involving the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its suspension by the United World Wrestling (UWW) is indeed a complex and sensitive matter. Here's a comprehensive resolution to address the key points in this scenario:
Addressing Sexual Harassment Allegations: The WFI must take concrete and transparent measures to address the sexual harassment allegations against its former president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. This may include conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations, ensuring due process and accountability, and implementing policies and training to prevent and address such misconduct in the future.
Safeguarding Women Wrestlers: In response to the UWW's statement about safeguarding women wrestlers, the WFI should prioritize the safety and well-being of female athletes. This may involve developing and enforcing robust protocols for the protection of women wrestlers, providing support systems, and fostering a culture of respect and gender equality within the organization.
Election Integrity and Governance: The WFI, in its efforts to lift the suspension, should demonstrate the integrity and fairness of its election process. This includes ensuring that the election was conducted in accordance with established procedures and governance standards. Transparency, compliance with election regulations, and the participation of all eligible members should be paramount.
Engagement with Stakeholders: The WFI should actively engage with relevant stakeholders, including the UWW, National Olympic Committee (NOC), and the Ministry of Sports, to provide official information, demonstrate compliance with requirements, and seek their confirmation and support for the reinstatement of the federation.
Rebuilding Trust and Unity: To address the protests, resignations, and tensions within the wrestling community, the WFI must work towards rebuilding trust, fostering unity, and addressing the concerns of wrestlers and other stakeholders. This may involve open dialogue, reconciliation efforts, and a commitment to upholding the values of the sport.
In summary, the WFI needs to take decisive actions to address the various aspects of the situation, including the allegations, safeguarding of athletes, governance, stakeholder engagement, and community reconciliation, in order to work towards the lifting of its suspension by the UWW.
What measures prevent misconduct in future?
To prevent misconduct in the future within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and similar organizations, several measures can be implemented:
Clear Policies and Codes of Conduct: Establishing and publicizing clear and comprehensive policies and codes of conduct that explicitly outline expectations for behavior, ethics, and the prevention of harassment and misconduct. These policies should be regularly reviewed and updated in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Training and Education: Providing mandatory training and programs for all members, officials, and staff on topics such as harassment prevention, respectful behavior, diversity and inclusion, and reporting. Training should also focus on fostering a culture of mutual respect and accountability.
Reporting Mechanisms: Implementing and accessible reporting mechanisms for individuals to raise concerns or complaints related to misconduct. This includes ensuring protection for whistlebl and a commitment to thorough and impartial investigations of reported incidents.
Leadership Accountability: Holding organizational leaders and officials accountable for upholding the highest standards ethical behavior and for enforcing the policies and codes of conduct. This can include establishing oversight committees and regularly reviewing compliance measures.
Support Systems: Providing support services and resources for individuals who have or witnessed misconduct, including access to counseling, legal assistance, and advocacy.
Transparent Disciplinary Procedures: Clearly outlining disciplinary procedures and consequences for those found responsible for misconduct, ensuring fairness and due process for all involved parties.
By implementing these measures and fostering a culture of integrity respect, the WFI and other organizations can work to prevent and address misconduct effectively.