IGU showing gender bias, says Pauline
NEW DELHI : Alleging gender bias, Pauline Singh, the former chairperson of the Indian Golf Union’s (IGU) ladies committee, has moved court on her removal from the post.
Due to the stay on elections by the Delhi High Court over pending cases, the IGU Council continues unchanged till the next AGM, but Pauline was the lone Council member to be removed from office at the EGM on June 6. Despite being invited for the EGM, Pauline claimed she was prevented from entering the venue.
The president, Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit (retd), who had been asked to step down by the ministry after his tenure ended in October last, presided over the EGM and his stepping down was as per the directive. Failure to hold elections and non-compliance with the National Sports Code led to IGU’S de-recognition by the Ministry on April 1.
To support her case in court, Pauline cited IGU’S Rule 40, which states in case elections are not held the Council remains unchanged till the next AGM. She referred to emails from Aparajitwhich stated that she would accompany the teams to the Asian Games at Jakarta in August and then seeking her removal from office in another communication.
Pauline claimed that other Council members were not informed nor was their approval taken before her removal which is mandatory to move such a resolution. Interestingly, IGU took no steps to elect a new ladies committee after its tenure expired.
Despite several attempts, Aparajit, who is now in the Council as the immediate past president, could not be reached for a comment. IGU treasurer, Ishwar Achanta, claimed the matter had no merit and had been dismissed by the court. “After the merger of IGU and IGULS (ladies section) in 2009-10, the rule is that the chairperson of the ladies committee comes from the same zone (North in this case) as the president and all members of the ladies committee are nominees.”
Pauline claimed she was elected and unless an AGM was convened she has a right to continue, and as per applicable rules, entitled to contest elections for another term, which she intends to do. Also on the agenda of the June 6th EGM was ratifying the draft constitution to be in sync with the Sports Code, and Pauline claimed women’s rights have been overlooked.