She herself cried in front of media...: Wrestlers hit back at PT Usha over 'tarnishing India' remark

Top wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia who have been protesting on the streets over sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh hit out at Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha's comment against their protests on Thursday. The wresters said they are hurt by her comments as they looked up to her for support.

Reacting to Usha's remark, protesting wrestler said,''Being a woman athlete, she (PT Usha) isn't listening to other women athletes. Where's indiscipline here, we are sitting here peacefully...She herself cried in front of the media regarding her academy.''

Earlier in the day, PT Usha, who is also a nominated member of Rajya Sabha had said that the wrestlers should have approached IOA earlier instead of going out in the streets against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment and mismanagement of athletes.

''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. Wrestler's staging protest on streets amounts to indiscipline. It is tarnishing the image of India,'' Usha told reporters after the sports body's executive committee meeting.

Shocked over PT Usha's remark, Bajrang Punia, who is also on protest said,''We did not expect such a harsh response from IOA President PT Usha, we expected support from her.''

It must be noted that 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.

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 sport.''

Frustrated with the three-month long wait, the peeved wrestlers returned to Jantar Mantar to resume their agitation on April 23, and also approached the Supreme Court, demanding arrest of the WFI boss. It is clear that the IOA has not liked the wrestlers' move.

(with PTI inputs)