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Sexual Harassment Panel: Rights Body Sends Notice to Sports Federations, Ministry

© Photo : Twitter screenshotIndian wrestlers protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi
Indian wrestlers protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi - Sputnik India, 1920, 12.05.2023
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The NHRC action came against the backdrop of a wrestlers protest in Delhi seeking action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief over sexual harassment charges.
India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has pointed out the absence of an internal complaint committee in the federal Ministry of Youth Affairs and sports-related federations to deal with issues related to sexual charges as required under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) law.
The rights body has issued a notice to both of them in this regard.
The sports bodies include the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), according to a statement issued by the rights panel.
A notice has also been sent to the governing bodies of 15 other federations of various sports, including handball, volleyball, basketball, weightlifting, yachting, gymnastics, table tennis, billiards and snooker, kayaking and canoeing, judo, squash, triathlon, kabaddi, badminton, and archery.
The absence of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) was originally raised by the M.C. Mary Kom-led committee, which the government established to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made by some of the top wrestlers in the country against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia (2R) and Vinesh Phogat (C) take part in an ongoing protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in New Delhi on April 23, 2023, following allegations of sexual harassment to athletes by members of the WFI. - Sputnik India, 1920, 27.04.2023
Political Affairs
Sought Report: Women Commission Seeks Action Over Harrasment Allegations by Female Wrestlers
Indian daily The Indian Express in a report claimed that 16 out of 30 national sports federations did not have a fully-compliant ICC. After this, the NHRC took suo-motu cognizance of the report and issued notices to these federations.
The NHRC stated that non-compliance with the PoSH rule was a "matter of concern" that could "impact the legal right and dignity of sportspersons".
"They have been asked to submit detailed reports within 4 weeks including the present status of the ICC in their organization as well as the steps taken or proposed to be taken to address the issue", the statement read.
As per the law, the ICC panel should have four members, at least, with half of them women – of whom one should be from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) or a woman who has relevant experience in working with issues relating to sexual harassment, like a lawyer or working for women empowerment.
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