Even as the blatant ‘dangal’ in the ‘akhada’ of Jantar Mantar between Sports and Politics carries on, the nation is agog. Not with excitement but with shock and anguish.

After days of protesting (once again), it was only with the intervention of the Supreme Court, that an FIR was finally registered. Gradually even the public, the Opposition and celebrities are now becoming vocal. It was even said that this shameful incident was akin to ‘tears on the cheeks of Indian history’. Is this India’s ‘Speaking Out’ Movement?

If ‘Me Too’ was a pandemic encouraging millions to come off the closets to air their emotional, physical and sexual abuse, ‘Speaking Out’ is an endemic of the wrestling world, to empower the wrestlers to tell their stories of exploitation. On June 17, 2020, when independent wrestler David Starr was accused of sexual assault by a former girlfriend of his, several wrestling promotions stripped Starr of his titles and fired him.

Then the tsunami of complaints began. Numerous people in and out of the Pro Wrestling industry began accusing several wrestlers, promoters, personalities, and journalists of sexual misconduct. The hashtag ‘#SpeakingOut’ soon started trending and people came out with horrific stories of their own.

Even if it took three long years to reach the Indian soil; even if it did not come with any hashtag, when a set of woman wrestlers first protested against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, of sexual harassment and pointed out the other irregularities in January this year, it shook the conscience of the entire nation.

Perhaps because, these weren’t any ordinary ‘betis’ out on the Indian soil demanding justice. They were a galaxy of top National and International wrestlers, who had brought home medals, glory and pride to our country. To defuse the explosive situation an overnight committee was immediately set up and asked to submit a report.

But, like all the committees formed before, it was just a ploy to defer all serious issues, until everything is forgotten. So the explanation was that the report is still being ‘examined’.

When the Sports Ministry finally shared the ‘major findings’ the wrestlers were unhappy with it. They had lost faith in the committee and expressed despair that the WFI had resumed its activities in spite of the ongoing probe.

They also claimed that Brij Bhushan was still calling the shots and even threatening them. The allegations were levelled not just against Brij Bhushan, but several other federation Officials and Coaches, whose identities have not been confirmed yet.

Their urgent demand for the Member of Parliament’s arrest and his removal was essential, not just for them but to ‘protect the young wrestlers’. But. In spite of filing several complaints, the FIR’s were never registered. That was when the wrestlers decided to resume their dharna. But what hurts them the most is that they are now being accused of ‘discrediting the country’s reputation’.

Who exactly is this ‘shaktishali’ six time MP, who is at the centre of the entire row? A seasoned politician and administrator, Brij Bhushan is not new to controversies.

Charges against him include robbery, causing voluntary harm to public servant, and even an attempt to murder. He is also associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement; is named in the Babri Masjid demolition case and is also known to have high connections with the underworld.

A self-proclaimed wrestling enthusiast, he has been involved with the sport in several administrative roles, as President of the WFI, Vice-President of the Asian Wrestling Federation, and a member of the government’s Mission Olympic Cell.

With his strong political influence, he wields a high degree of hold on the domestic sport. And. He also has the last word on all things connected to Indian wrestling.

Perhaps that is the reason the wrestlers do not want to give in because they know that the moment they do, the deafening ‘Sounds of Silence’ will either resume, drowning out their cries, OR be replaced with other distractions.

When Simon and Garfunkel sang the ‘Sounds of Silence, it wasn’t just a song but a piercing and powerful warning to the dangers of indifference. It was a cry to stop the cancer of soundlessness that keeps growing if not heeded.

In the present scenario, it is also the inability of people to connect. When the communication gap between the bold and the beautiful, and the powerful and the prominent becomes so expansive; when the obstacles faced by the citizens appear so daunting; when blatant misuse of position and muscle power by leaders feels so intimidating; and when the demands of even such high profile sports persons are royally ignored, the message is loud and clear. Chup Raho! Or. Speak the language that is pleasing to the ears.

However, let us digress from the negative to the positive; from the protests to a sweet Sufi parable. One day the Sun and the Cave decided to change places.

When the Cave, with its dark robes went out, it was literally blinded with all the light around. But for the Sun it wasn’t a problem. At all; because when it entered the dark chambers, it was still carrying its own light, thus illuminating even the darkest corner inside.

The moral of the Song and the Story is: Be the silence breaker. Shatter the silence of a Media that opens its mouth only to spew venom. Be the Sun. Come forward and illuminate all the dark corners of your nation.

Be responsible and uphold the pillar of democracy that is slowly starting to crumble. Come together and stand up for women when they need you the most. And demand that slogans like ‘Beti Bachao’ should not be reduced to just a quirky political tool.

Whenever the mighty victimise the meek, it is imperative for all the citizens to stand up. And speak out.

Views expressed are the writer’s own.

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