Wrestlers' Protest: PT Usha visits Jantar Mantar, meets grapplers demanding action against WFI president

Wrestlers' Protest: IOA President PT Usha - who has been facing criticism left-right-and-centre - on Wednesday (May 3) visited Jantar Mantar to meet the protesting wrestlers and assured the grapplers of her support.

The legendary Indian sprinter claimed that she was first an athlete and then an administrator. The former sprinter had come down heavily on the wrestlers for resuming their protest instead of approaching the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for their issues.

She had said that the wrestlers should have shown some discipline and that they had tarnished the country's image by hitting the streets, a comment that brought criticism to her and the IOA.

Usha left without speaking with the media but Bajrang Punia said she has assured them of help. "Initially when she said that, we felt very bad but then she said that her comments were misinterpreted. She said that she is first an athlete and then an administrator," said Bajrang, the Tokyo Games bronze medallist.

"We told her that we want justice. We don't have a fight with the government or opposition or anyone else. We are sitting here for the betterment of wrestling. If this issue is resolved and if the allegations (against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) are proved then there should be legal action," he added.

When asked if Usha had come with a solution from the government or from the IOA, Punia said, "Nothing of that sort". "She only said that she is with us."

Asked if he was satisfied following the meeting with Usha, he said, "If she is giving us assurance, I suppose she should fulfil that assurance. But we clarified to her that until and unless things are not okay and we get justice, of which we are very hopeful, this protest will continue."

Asked if any solution had emerged, he said, "If the things she has spoke about... if there is an initiative along those lines, then definitely there will be a solution to this issue. She said she will try to resolve all our problems. If she wants she can do anything."

Reacting to wrestlers' resumption of protest, PT Usha, after the IOA's Executive Committee meeting last week said the grapplers protesting on the streets amounts to indiscipline and is tarnishing the country's image.

This had invited criticism for Usha for not understanding the wrestlers' point of view despite being a former athlete and a woman herself.

(With PTI inputs)