The president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Raninder Singh, stated that it was more a case of “indiscipline’’ rather than “sexual harassment”, in the matter relating to the Indian shooters on tour in the Junior International Competition in Suhl, Germany, recently.
One of the shotgun shooters had complained against two boys on return from Germany about “harassment.’’
After seeking reports from the coach, manager, other shooters present apart from the three shooters concerned, it was found that “abusive language had been used’’.
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The NRAI decided that it was prima facie a case of indiscipline on the part of the boys concerned and dropped them from another international competition to be staged in Finland from Monday, for which the team left on Saturday morning.
“The message had to be sent quickly that indiscipline would not be tolerated. That is why we dropped the boys from the squad immediately after preliminary investigation”, said Raninder Singh.
“Initially it was suggested that the matter be referred to the disciplinary committee, but we decided that it was best left to the Athletes Commission, which is headed by Moraad Ali Khan and has a lot of prominent shooters as members including Anjali Bhagwat”, said the NRAI president.
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All the reports gathered on the subject have been forwarded to the Athletes Commission for further study.
The Athletes Commission has been given two week’s time to discuss and decide on the subject.