Usha does U-turn on protest

IOA chief promises support in the day, scuffle breaks out late evening between police and wrestlers

- Shantanu Srivastava

A day after Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik made a scathing attack on Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha and Athletes Commission chief MC Mary Kom for not backing their fight to get Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh punished, the track great visited the protesting wrestlers at their Jantar Mantar sit-in on Wednesday.

But late in the evening, a scuffle broke out at the protest site between the police and the wrestlers. The wrestlers alleged that one of their fellow protesters was beaten up by the police and Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik were abused. "We were bringing the folding beds inside because of the rain when the police beat up the driver and a scuffle broke out. The police beat up Dushyant Phogat (the younger brother of Sangeeta Phogat) and he has a head injury," Bajrang Punia said. Punia also alleged: "At least two policemen including an ACP were drunk." At the time of going to press, there was no official comment from the police.

Earlier in the day, Usha, who had called their sit-in protest accusing Singh of sexually harassing women wrestlers and demanding action as an act of indiscipline, offered her support and solidarity. The athletics icon spent about 30 minutes with the wrestlers on the 11th day of sit-in. She did not speak to the media. "Usha ma'am has extended her support to our cause. Better late than never," Punia said. "We have utmost respect for her as an athlete. She said her earlier statements were misinterpreted." Last Thursday, speaking to the media after IOA's Executive Council meeting, Usha said, "IOA has an athlete commission and instead of hitting the streets, these wrestlers should've come to us."