Star wrestlers of India are protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for the sixth consecutive day, demanding action against the President of the Indian Wrestling Federation, Brijbhushan Singh and his arrest. Sportspersons are also getting support from many political parties. Meanwhile, PT Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association, has come out with a strong reaction. After which the pain of women wrestlers has spread.
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PT Usha said sportspersons “protesting on the streets” amounted to indiscipline and were tarnishing the image of the country.
Reacting to statement of P T Usha, World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat said that instead of chastising the wrestlers, the IOA should have come to them to listen to their grievances. “We are not on the streets, we are on the soil of India. If you feel it is “indiscipline” or insulting, why don’t come here and solve our problems?” she asked. She added, ” I called her also to share our grievances, but she did not pick up my phone.”
Wrestler Bajrang Punia on Thursday said the protesters were not expecting such a harsh response from Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha who alleged that the grapplers protesting on the streets over sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh “amounted to indiscipline.”
#WATCH ऐसा सुनकर बुरा लगता है क्योंकि वे खुद एक अच्छी खिलाड़ी हैं। वे अनुशासनहीनता की बात कर रही हैं, मैं उनसे पूछना चाहता हूं कि जब आपकी अकादमी को तोड़ा जा रहा था, तब आप ट्वीट कर रही थी क्या तब देश की गरिमा पर आंच नहीं आ रही थी?: पी.टी. उषा के बयान पर पहलवान बजरंग पूनिया,दिल्ली https://t.co/2yWNOMOAz7 pic.twitter.com/PJxrrPaEgd
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) April 28, 2023
Sakshi Malik, who won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games last year, said that despite repeated attempts, they have been unable to make the police and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) take action. “I respect PT Usha. She has inspired us. But I want to ask ma’am, women wrestlers have come forward, raised the issue of harassment. Can’t we protest as well?” Malik added, “In the IOA committee, we gave our statements. IOA committee members cried as well. They had assured action will be taken. No action has been taken.”
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