Indian Women's Hockey sex scandal - comedy

Disclaimer: This blog of mine, is more about irony of our society and circumstances. It doesn't wish to take a call on whether or not M K Kaushik is guilty or not.

Allegations and counter allegations gallore.

1) Few days back, Hockey India received photographs of Indian Women's Hockey team videographer in compromising position with some unknown ladies during China Japan tour. (back in Mar-Apr '10)

2) Current national level player Ranjita Devi claims that she has been sexually harrassed by the Women's team coach M K Kaushik.

I am not concerned about point no.1. It is surely nothing more than gossip matter. What one does in their rooms, on tour, should be dictacted by 'code of conduct' for players and officials. Whether Hockey has one or not, I am not sure.

Coming to 2nd point: First things first. Sexual harrassment charges are serious. Whether the person who makes those allegations, is genuine or not, whether they are a star player or not, whether they are capable enough to compete in current Hockey or not, inspite of all these questions, it is a serious allegation. One can't take it lightly. A independent probe is a must.

Although I am not a great fan of KPS Gill and his adminstration times, and if I ignore the past details of his own character, I agree to his point: What are the qualifications of the people who have been formed in the committee who will investigate these details?

I will say it's true. Do they know what law books says? How one should conduct a prosecution and defense case? There is a complete legal system in place for this.

In this context, Zafar Iqbal, a former Olympian, who is a part of this committee, says, "The player's allegations are weak."
Yeah, right!

The point is not whether M K Kaushik is involved in sexual harrassment or not. One may never find out that, if you honestly ask me. It will finally reside on what one individual prefers to believe. Grab these facts:

1) There is no official investigation going on by competent authorities. Hockey India (HI) will collate the version of both sides will be submitted to Sports Authority of India, who will decide what needs to be done, because they are the employers to Kaushik and the videographer.

2) 31 players who have signed the letter by Ranjita say, "We haven't faced it but we are supporting Ranjita."
Ranjita, in her letter, claims that she and many others were sexually harrassed.

3) I have heard and read 4 different points on 4 different channels from Helen Mary. One place she tells about how Kaushik was found sleeping on the same berth in a train. Another place she says he is a wonderful coach but a characterless guy. Third place she says she herself was sexually harrassed by Kaushik. Fourth place she says that she was removed from captaincy because Kaushik and some lady manager got to know that Mary has seen them together having fun. It also tells that senior players don't like Kaushik and they wanted to get rid of him. Fifth newspaper tells how the lady manager was perpeptually drunk and was with Kaushik all the time.
Believe me, her interview is in so many bits and pieces in various newspapers and if you read all of them, you wouldn't know what to gather from it finally. The more I read, the more I am confused.
4) Theories are around that the timing of the event is a surprise because of Hockey India elections days away.
5) Although, it is usually, 'innocent until proven guilty' by law but the general public tends to believe, 'guilty until proven innocent'.

With so much reporting, so much conflicting opinions, allegations and no concrete investigation in the offing, a common fan like me can never figure out what to conclude from the whole event.

Now, Kaushik's contract with SAI to work for Indian Women's team was only till Nov. '10, i.e. till Guangzhou, China Asiads. He has resigned from the Indian Women's Hockey Coach position. It reminds me of a movie dialogue where the alleged guy tells his perpitrator, "You will not be able to prove anything." To which the perpetrator responds, "But you will suffer till the time this issue is alive and kicking."

So, he will be away for the time being and thereafter, any way, he will be out.

Whether you believe that there is no flame without fire, one thing is for sure: Kaushik's image is tarnished amongst common people.
Till 2 days back, not many (of the general public) knew, that Kaushik was the coach of Women's team since 1991 (barring a few breaks in between) and Indian Women's Hockey reached it's highs under his coaching. One 2 day coverage, and now almost everyone knows Kaushik.

I would say, it's a ticket to (de)fame for Kaushik.

All said and done, Hockey doesn't have many fans amongst general public; the ones who are, are mostly the only ones in their friend circles. I am one of those loners in my friend circle and I find it extremely embarrassing, when I am asked with a smiling face, 'yeh kya ho raha hai tumhaare Hockey mein?"

I just keep quiet, feeling low, humiliated..... and sad not for the event, but how it is handled by all of us...