'Her Comments Were Misinterpreted': Bajrang Punia After Meeting PT Usha At Delhi's Jantar Mantar

Last month, IOA President PT Usha had criticised the protesting wrestlers by saying that they showed indiscipline and tarnished the country's image by hitting the streets.

Rajya Sabha MP and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha with wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sangeeta Phogat during their protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. ( Image Source :PTI )

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha reached Delhi Mantar's on Wednesday (May 3) to meet protesting wrestlers, days after her infamous 'indiscipline' remark. Last month, the former sprinter criticised the protesting wrestlers by saying that they showed indiscipline and tarnished the country's image by hitting the streets. In her today's meet with the wrestlers, Usha assured the grapplers of her support, saying she was first an athlete and then an administrator.

Tokyo Games bronze medallist Bajrang Punia said PT Usha 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.

"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 proven then there should be legal action," he added.

When asked if Usha had come up 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 spoken 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, had said, "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." IOA acting CEO Kalyan Chaubey had said, "IOA President Dr PT Usha 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."

(With PTI Inputs)