New Delhi [India]May 3 (ANI): Ace wrestler Bajrang Punia on Tuesday said that Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha has assured the wrestlers of solidarity with their protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and said that she would help them. “To get justice.”
The IOA president today reached Jantar Mantar where wrestlers have been staging a sit-in for the last 11 days demanding action against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment allegations.
“She (Usha) said I am with you and I will help you get justice,” Punia told mediapersons after the meeting.
The Olympic 2021 bronze medalist further said that the wrestlers will continue their protest until the WFI chief is put behind bars.
“We will stay here till he goes to jail,” Punia said.
Earlier, Usha had ruffled feathers with her remark that the wrestlers should have approached the IOA instead of taking to the streets against the WFI and its president, whom the wrestlers accused of sexual harassment and mismanagement of athletes.
“Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has a committee for sexual harassment, instead of going on the streets they (protesting wrestlers) could have come to us first but they did not come to IOA. It is not good for sports, not only for wrestlers, they should also have some discipline.
Wrestlers had expressed disappointment over his April 27 remarks.
“Being a female athlete, she (PT Usha) is not listening to other female athletes. We have followed and been inspired by him since childhood. Where is the indiscipline here, we are sitting here peacefully.
CWG and World Championships medalist Vinesh Phogat also termed Usha’s comments as “insensitive”.
“We live according to the Constitution and are free citizens. We can go anywhere. If we are sitting outside on the streets, there must be some reason or the other, there must be some reason why no one has listened to us, be it the IOA or the Sports Ministry. It is insensitive of him to say this. I even called him, but he did not pick up my call,” said Vinesh.
Prominent wrestlers came forward to lead a protest against WFI chief Three months ago, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports constituted an ‘Inspection Committee’ to look into the allegations leveled against WFI and its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other coaches. announced the formation of ,
The committee was tasked to submit a report on the issue to the ministry. The wrestlers launched a new protest in April. The Delhi Police had on April 30 registered two FIRs against WFI president Singh on allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of women wrestlers. Top Indian wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and many others have joined the protest against the WFI chief. (ANI)
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