The allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation involving Hockey India (HI) have escalated, prompting intervention from the Indian sports ministry. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the ministry has instructed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to conduct a thorough investigation. This move indicates a shift from internal handling of the accusations to a broader examination of the institutional response to these serious claims.
Political Context
The ministry has also sought a clarification from Hockey India on the same,” sources in the ministry confirmed. “The sports ministry has asked the IOA to form a neutral, fair and transparent committee to probe the allegations made by the ex India captain Asunta Lakra. Asunta had written to the ministry seeking an impartial probe against HI secretary general Bholanath Singh, fearing bias if the matter was handled by the federation through its internal process. He also informed the HI EB of the same. The group, including the likes of Manohar Topno and Sumrai Tete, have accused Bholanath of continuing illegally for a fourth term and flouting rules under the National Sports Governance Act. This comes a day after the Sports Ministry, supported by HI president Dilip Tirkey, had asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to conduct an independent enquiry into Asunta’s allegations of sexual harassment of girls in Jharkhand hockey and institutional intimidation by HI secretary general Bholanath Singh.
Meanwhile, a group of 13 national and international players from Jharkhand have also legally challenged Hockey Jharkhand elections, officially scheduled for July 19, with all posts including that of Bholanath as president being filled unanimously.
In response to the notice, Asunta has written to the ministry against what she calls “continued intimidation and retaliation” by HI. The ministry’s decision follows a similar request by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey himself to the ministry on Wednesday.
