Coming down heavily on the wrestlers, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha on Thursday said the grapplers lacked discipline as they hit the streets to resume their protest against WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh instead of approaching them.
Decorated wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik are the three central characters in the renewed protests against the Wrestling Federation of India president, who has been accused of sexual harassment by the grapplers.
The IOA is yet to complete its probe into the allegations while the government-formed oversight panel’s findings have not been made public as yet.
It is clear that the IOA has not liked the wrestlers’ move.
“Our feeling is that for sexual harassment complaints, IOA has a committee and athletes’ commission. Instead of going to the street (again), they should have come to us. But they have not at all come to IOA,” Usha, a legendary athlete, told reporters after the sports body’s executive committee meeting.
Asked if the IOA would reach out to the wrestlers since they are adamant that they would not leave the protest site until their demands are met, Usha shot back by saying, “Thoda toh discipline hona chahiye (there should be some discipline). Instead of coming to us they have gone straight to the streets. It’s not good for the sport.”
IOA joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey said: “IOA president would like to say that this kind of agitation is not good for the country’s image. India has a good reputation globally. This negative publicity is not good for the country. We want to be with not just the wrestlers but with every athlete who has represented India, but under the rules and the law of the country.”
In a media release, Usha added: “They are sitting on a dharna and asking all political parties to join them, and that is what disappoints me.”
Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang said the IOA president’s statement is shocking. “She herself was an athlete and she is also a woman. We did not expect this harsh reaction from her, we expected support,” Bajrang said.
The IOA, meanwhile, formed a two-member ad hoc committee consisting of Bhupender Singh Bajwa, IOA executive council member, and Olympic shooter Suma Shirur to run the office of WFI.
“In the days leading upto WFI election, IOA will also appoint a retired High Court judge,” a media release said.
Brijbhushan Sharan Singh vows to fight his case
New Delhi: Accused of sexual harassment by India’s top wrestlers, under-fire national Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh on Thursday indicated that he will fight with all his might to prove his innocence.
In a video message, the BJP MP, without making a mention of the allegations against him, indicated that he would not accept defeat till he has the strength to fight.
“Friends, the day I reflect on my life, what I gained or lost, the day I feel I don’t have the strength to fight, the day I feel helpless, I won’t like to live a life like that. Instead of living such a life, I would wish that death embraces me,” he said.
Star wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, have made sexual harassment allegations against the WFI chief and have been sitting on an indefinite protest at Jantar Mantar here.
Sports minister Anurag Thakur, at a news conference, reiterated the government’s commitment to an “impartial probe”.
PTI
