Caught on the wrong foot! Allegation of sexual harassment compels DSA’s hockey coach to resign

March 21: In what seems to be shameful incident in the legacy of District Sports Association (DSA), Silchar, a district level female hockey player lodged a serious complaint with its General Secretary wherein she categorically alleged of sexual harassment by Bikash Bhattacharjee, Hony Hockey Secretary of Silchar DSA. Along with her written complaint, the lady also provided several evidences in support of her allegation. She provided to the DSA authorities screenshots of all WhatApp conversations which Mr Bikash Bhattacharjee had with her along with their voice recording. Video footage from her cellphone was also submitted by the hockey player.

The incident soon spread like a wild fire and ultimately on Saturday night, the Hony Hockey Secretary of Silchar DSA, Bikash Bhattacharjee tendered his resignation from this post. Sources revealed that Mr. Bikash Bhattacharjee has got good political links. He is also the main leader of the Auto-Rickshaw Owners & Drivers Association of Cachar. Although Bhattacharjee in his resignation letter mentioned that “due to family related issues, he has resigned from the post” yet by that time the serious allegation of sexual harassment of a female hockey player became the talk of the town.

In her letter, the female player from Silchar alleged that she is a regular and registered hockey player under Asam Hockey Association and District Sports Association, Silchar. In her letter, she further alleged that a female cricketer associated with DSA acted as a catalyst in conveying the “ill” messages of Bikash Bhattacharjee. The hockey player in her petition wrote, “Bikash Bhattacharjee through the lady cricketer offered that I must go for physical relation with him and in return my name will be in the final list of State Hockey Team.” She again alleged that the same hockey secretary pressurized her other fellow players for “sexual favour” using female team-mates in return of getting selected in State and District team.

The whistle blower female hockey player has infact opened the Pandora’s box and revealed the ugly state of affairs going on under the roof of Silchar DSA. She prayed for stringent action against Bikash Bhattacharjee in her letter addressed to Hony General Secretary of DSA, Silchar. It was learnt that the ugly episode of seeking sexual gratification centred around the selection of players for State Level Female Junior Hockey Team. Finally, when the incident came out in the open, DSA sat for its top level meeting.

The female hockey player concluded her petition with a humble request to the DSA authorities, wherein she wrote, “Hope you will stand by me and give me justice without hampering my sporting career.”  As per sources, on the advice/ direction of the Association, Bikash Bhattacharjee finally tendered his resignation on Saturday night. An enquiry committee in this connection has been formed by DSA, Silchar who has been asked to submit a detailed report within the next week.

Concerned sports lover’s also were hopeful of a neutral enquiry so that justice can be delivered to the female player and exemplary punishment can be given to all those involved in this “heinous incident.” As this ugly incident became viral, people of Silchar expressed severe anger against such incidents perpetrated by a guardian of the temple of sports. Not only in the arena of sports, Bikash Bhattacharjee against whom the severe allegation was raised also holds other portfolios in public life and happens to be the boss of the Auto-Rickshaw Owners & Drivers Association of Cachar.