Nearly two dozen cases of sexual harassment have been reported against women players in Haryana. Several of these cases are currently sub judice. Sports personalities from Haryana need no introduction, as they have consistently brought glory and laurels to the country in various international sports events, including the Olympic Games. However, in recent times, reports of sexual exploitation involving female players have surfaced, bringing humiliation to all of us. Some of these cases remain under discussion across the state. In wake of a spurt in such cases, the opposition has also been continuously raising the issue of sexual exploitation of female sports persons. In continuation to this, on the second day of the ongoing winter assembly session, details of the cases of sexual exploitation against the female sportspersons were sought. From the year 2019 till present, the cases of sexual exploitation have been continuously reported against female players as two dozen cases surfaced requiring the police department to take such matters into consideration in wake of the gravity. Notably, the crime against women has always been a matter of concern in Haryana which needs to be curbed with immediate effect. The data tabled in the House has revealed that as many as 8 cases of sexual exploitation and harassment against female sportspersons and trainers came to fore in Haryana in 2023, highest number so far in aforesaid period. The matter has resonated at the national level as well.
The information pertaining to the sexual harassment received has also revealed that all the cases of such nature have been reported are from about a dozen districts and a maximum cases of the sexual harassment against women sportspersons and coaches were reported in Hisar, Kaithal, Jind, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Rohtak, Sonipat and Gurugram districts . In 2019, 5 cases- 3 Hisar, 2-Gurugram and Sirsa districts were reported with accused associated with football and Kabaddi games.
Similarly, 2 accused in such cases reported in the year 2020 in Kurukshetra and Bhiwani are associated with hockey and volleyball games. While a total of 6 cases surfaced in Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Hisar, Jind, Sonipat and Sirsa districts, the accused in these cases were associated with the sports of boxing, basketball, athletics and wrestling. Likewise, In the year 2022, 3 cases were reported in Hisar and Sirsa districts. Of the 8 cases reported in the year 2023, the list of districts with such cases includes Kaithal, Bhiwani, Jind, Panipat, Sonipat and Hisar involving the accused of Taekwondo, Athletics, Badminton and Archery sports.
In continuation to aforementioned, it is pertinent to mention that cases of crimes against women have been continuously raised and are echoing in the House. During the ongoing session, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) legislator Abhay Singh Chautala cornered the Minister of State Sandeep Singh who is the main accused in sexual exploitation of a female player and junior coach. Abhay further levelled the allegation that no stone was left unturned to save the accused minister in the sexual exploitation case which is extremely saddening. ‘’Despite the charge sheet filed against the accused by Chandigarh Police, the state government kept protecting the accused irrespective of the gravity of the issue.
