Wrestlers Disheartened Over PT Usha Criticism, Say “We Feel Hurt, She Isn’t Supporting Us Despite Being Woman Herself”

Amidst the ongoing protest against the WFI (Wrestling Federation India) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, allegedly for sexual harassment, Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha has strongly criticized the public protest by wrestlers.

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia have been protesting against Mr Singh and demanding the government to take action on their complaint. However, Brijbhushan Singh who is also a BJP MP has denied the allegations and indicated he will fight fiercely to prove he is innocent.

The protesters have also written to the Indian Olympic Association chief to act on this matter urgently.

Amounts to indiscipline: PT Usha

Meanwhile, Ms Usha has criticized the wrestlers for not waiting for the report of a committee that is looking into their allegations to come out before deciding to sit on a public protest in the national capital, Delhi. She said the protest “amounts to indiscipline.”

She said, “The players should not have protested on the streets. They should have at least waited for the report of the committee. What they have done is not good for the game and the country. It is a negative approach.”

Wrestlers dishearten over PT Usha’s criticism

After Usha’s criticism, the wrestlers responded that they are hurt by her comments as they looked up to her for support.

Speaking to the media, wrestler Sakshi Malik said, “We feel hurt by PT Usha’s comment. She is not supporting us despite being a woman herself. What indiscipline have we done? We are sitting here peacefully. If we had got justice, we would not have done this.”

Moreover, wrestler Vinesh Phogat alleged that he dialled PT Usha to discuss their matter, but she did not answer his call. “… We don’t know whether she is under some kind of pressure,” he said.

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Months for Justice!!

Bajrang Punia, who is also in protest, said they have been waiting for three months for justice.

On Thursday, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said, “The Narendra Modi government has done excellent work for sportspersons in the country. The government spends a lot to help sportspersons. Some 3,000 players get Rs 5 lakh on their boarding, lodging and training. They also get Rs 1.20 lakh for personal expenses.”

“Some wrestlers were sitting at Jantar Mantar (in Delhi). Who spoke to them? I left all my programmes in Himachal Pradesh and heard them for 12 hours. Seven hours one day, over five hours the next day. We did a press conference late at night. We made a committee… The Narendra Modi government is very clear about standing with the players and helping them. For us, the priorities are the sports and the players. We won’t compromise with them,” the union minister said.

Call to PM Modi

The protesting wrestlers had also asked PM Modi for a meeting with him to discuss the sexual harassment allegations against the BJP MP who heads the WFI.

“PM Modi sir talks about ‘Beti Bachao’ and ‘Beti Padhao’ and listens to everyone’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Can’t he listen to our ‘Mann Ki Baat’? He invites us to his home when we win medals and gives us a lot of respect and calls us his daughters. Today, we appeal to him that he listens to our ‘Mann ki Baat,” Ms Malik told the media.