We are a nation of sexists. No one has doubts about that. Double
standards exist in almost all the fields. In corporate world, in
government sector, in media, in bollywood, in politics. Everywhere! Each
women in India is judged on the basis of what she wears, her
relationship status and her friend circle. No one cares for what she has
achieved. Hence it was not surprising when last year a senior union
minister passed vulgar comments on leader of opposition after she danced
on a patriotic song at Rajghat. And the fields where sexism is at its
peak is sports.
In past few years India has witnessed a lot of sports personalities
achieving things which were considered impossible. And i am not talking
of cricket. These players have done it in other games. And that's the
special part of it. We are all aware of the dismal condition of sports
bodies in India. Despite of all these difficulties, they have achieved
it. Or in Steve Jobs words"Made a dent in the universe". We all must
appreciate the efforts of all the females who have made india proud.
Sania Mirza, MC Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Ashwini Ponappa and the list
goes on. One of the persons belonging to this league is Jwala Gutta. She
needs no introduction. She was the 'Daughter of the Nation' during Delhi
Commonwealth Games. She, along with Ashwini Ponnappa, won Gold Medal in
mixed doubles. Being a participant in multiple events she has to play
more than one match a day but that didn't stop her from making that
dent. A lot of young athletes across the country began to idolise her.
And one of the the incident I experienced at Amitabh Bachchan Sports
Complex, Allahabad. A 7 year old girl went to her coach and said "Sir
mujhe Jwala didi jaisa banna hai'. Well the good part of the story ends
here.
Almost 3 years later, the same lady who was revered by every Indian, was
cheated in front of everyone. And sadly no one said a word. No sports
body, no sports icon, no media came in her support against the tyranny
of IBL organisers. The media which made her darling of the nation during
commonwealth games called her a rebel and presented her in a negative
way. It was the worst reporting ever done.
The entire controversy began when IBL reduced the base price of Jwala
and Ashwini by 50% from $50,000 to $25,000. Worst part, they did it
without consulting them. One may argue that sports authority has the
right to do so. But then is that fair? Some of the newcomers who are yet
to play some serious badminton are paid much more than the amount given
to Jwala and Ashwini. Jwala Gutta said it multiple times - in her
interviews to media, on her social media pages, that she is not bothered
about the money but pained about entire issue. In a fair system can you
take such a crucial decision without taking everyone on board? Imagine
for a moment if the same had happened with Sachin Tendulkar in IPL. I am
100% sure the news would have went viral with fanatics protesting
against the rules and PIL's being filed against BCCI in courts of law.
But no such outrage in Jwala's case. Why? Because she is a female and
her game is not cricket?
This is not the first time shuttler has been under scanner. She has been
judged many times for all the rubbish reasons. First there was a rumour
that she divorced Chetan Anand because she was in relationship with Mohd
Azharuddin. Rumour because no newspaper admitted it openly. It was an
'alleged affair', 'as told by sources' etc. Not only was it derogatory
but also extremely sexist. Why is it that after a high profile divorce
only the character of female is questioned? She eventually has to
clarify that Azhar is her family friend.
Another instance which I can remember is when she did a photoshoot for
the cover of The Man magazine. She is not the first sportsperson to
appear on cover of lifestyle magazines. Nor is she the first female to
do so. Many female athletes including Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal have
done this before. A lot of people believed that the photo-shoots,
inaugurations were keeping her away from the court. Now tell me when did
we questioned our cricketers to stop doing ads? Did we asked Virat Kohli
to not do fair and lovely ad because it was racist? Some people on
twitter even questioned when she did an item song recently in Gunde
Jaari Gallanthayyinde. Such a mindset is dangerous.
Jwala is an sports icon. She is India's pride. She is the reason why
parents are allowing their daughters to go and play badminton in the
evenings after a hectic school day. She is the person who gave oxygen to
doubles in India. At a time when we should be rewarding her we are
asking meaningless and senseless questions. And this mindset is one of
the reasons why we are yet to produce some of the world class athletes.
So now, with few days left for IBL, she has her racquet to answer her
critics, sports authorities and media. She already claimed that she will
let her racquet speak for herself. Our best wishes are with her. But
remember she is not representing herself only. She is representing
millions of Indians who are frustrated with the condition of sports and
sport bodies in India. She is representing all the female athletes who
are being discriminated. And at last she represents everyone who strives
for a fair system.
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