NHRC has issued notice to the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Play and sports authority India A female cyclist accused the lead cyclist of “inappropriate behavior” during a training camp in Slovenia, according to a statement Friday.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the matter, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a detailed report from the Secretary of the Ministry and the Director General of SAI.
The rights panel said in the statement, “It is strange to know that instead of reining in the coach, the Sports Authority of India allegedly decided to bring the victim back to India, thereby depriving her of the training abroad for which she was selected.” went.”
It said the victim’s right to respect has been violated, considering the fact that a coach and a player have a fiduciary relationship, where a coach is placed with a trust to look after the well being and welfare of the player. Is.
The Commission has found that if the case is true, it is a violation of the human rights of the aggrieved player.
Reportedly, according to SAI, the complainant was immediately brought back to India through his training to ensure his safety. SAI has prima facie found the allegation to be true.
The commission sought to know the physical and mental health status of the victim as well as the action, if any, taken against the responsible officer including the coach concerned within four weeks. The Commission would also like to know whether the authorities have given any specific advice to it.
SAI on Wednesday terminated the contract of the chief cycling coach after he was found guilty of “inappropriate behavior” with a female cyclist during a training camp in Slovenia.
The decision was taken by SAI hours after it decided to recall the entire Indian contingent from the European nation where the cyclists had gone for a training-cum-competition tour.
The victim, who reportedly feared for her life due to the alleged harassment and requested to go back home, has already been brought to the country keeping in mind her safety.
Issuing the notice, NHRC has further observed that the Government of India is sincerely focusing on maximum participation of women in every field including sports, arts and culture. Various guidelines have been issued to ensure the safety of players during their training and sporting activities.
The Commission is also of the view that if the allegations mentioned in the news report are true and no action is taken by the authorities regarding such incidents, other women sportspersons will not only feel unsafe but will also hesitate to lodge complaints against offenders in future. . Fearing that he might be called back midway through training.
This subject also comes within the purview of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013, which clearly defines in section 2(o)(iv) that no sports institution, stadium, Sports complex is included. or competition or sports venue, whether residential or not used for training, sport or other activities connected therewith. Therefore, SAI is also bound to get the matter investigated as per the provisions of the Act.
According to media reports, the victim was part of the Indian team that was in Slovenia to prepare for the Asian Championships to be held in New Delhi from June 18-22.
“Allegedly, the coach tried to forcefully drag her towards him and asked her to sleep with him and threatened to ruin her career if her demands were not met,” the statement said.
Reportedly, when the victim could not stand the advances and explicit sexual overtones made by the coach, she spoke to the CEO of Target’s Olympic podium scheme (TOPS, which booked her return ticket for June 3, 2022). The victim has mentioned in her complaint that the coach has destroyed her mentally and emotionally, which is now affecting her sports performance.
The statement said that she has reportedly demanded the strictest possible action against the coach not only to ensure her own safety but also for the safety of all others, especially the female athletes.
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