Uttarakhand sports minister claims 'sexual exploitation' of female athletes by states associations

What's the story?

Arvind Pandey, sports minister of Uttarakhand has sparked off a controversy in the hill state wherein he alleged sexual exploitation of women sportspersons by the associations. In a video that went viral on social media, the minister was quoted as saying that he would “register a case under Section 376 of IPC (punishment for rape) against the members of the sports associations who (allegedly) sexually assaulted several sportswomen."

He also went on to add, "I have the required proof… I’ll spoil the lives of the people who spoiled the lives of the budding sportspersons.”

Further, the Congress party and the state's Women Commission have also urged the minister and the government to take action with respect to the allegations.

However, on Wednesday, the minister said that his claim should be taken as a warning because he would not take the legal route with the offenders since the victims are apparently not ready for the probe.

“The victims have told me about the harassment they faced from the sports associations. But, they (the victims) are now married… I can bring the victims in public to prove the allegations that I recently made, but that might ruin their marriages,” he said.

In case you didn't know

Uttarakhand has been in the limelight for such issues in the past as well wherein complaints were received from sports like handball, judo and volleyball. In 2000, the women players at the SAI centre in Dehradun had highlighted a similar issue against a softball coach and as a repercussion, he was transferred out of the state.

Similarly, the handball players had taken up a matter with the then Chief Minister ND Tiwari in 2004 with a complaint of misconduct by the sports officials but the prolonged delay in action led to the issue fizzling out on part of the victim.

The Chairman of the Volleyball Federation had also been accused of sexual exploitation and overtures but a compromise was achieved in that case between the players and the sports body to settle the matter internally.

The heart of the matter

Arvind Pandey's allegations have brought to light the poor functioning of sports bodies in Uttarakhand with respect to the women players.

The claims have left the sports federation flummoxed particularly because Pandey claims to have substantial proof about the same. Thus, if he resorts to legal action against the offender despite saying that he would not do so in his latest response, it will expose the truth behind the Uttarakhand sports bodies, many of which have been in a similar controversy in the past as well.

What's next?

With the Chairperson of the Women's Commission of Uttarakhand, Sarojni Kaintyura urging the Chief Minister to set up a probe in this matter and bring the guilty to law, it remains to be seen whether it is the actual course of action with the Arvind Pandey, himself stating that his claim should serve as a warning for he will not take legal action until the victims are ready to come to the fore.

Author's Take

It was indeed a bold step on part of the Arvind Pandey to bring this malpractice into public notice but action should be definitely taken in this regard in order to prevent similar instance in the future, restore the faith of the female gender in the sports and the associations with respect to their safety and security.