Tharoor, Mahua Moitra slam PT Usha’s statement against grapplers' protest

Thiruvnanthapuram: India’s celebrated sprinter P T Usha is in the eye of a storm facing criticism over her statement that protesting wrestlers are tarnishing the nation’s image.

Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday expressed displeasure over PT Usha’s statement against the on-going protest in Delhi.

Some of India's top wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik along with Asian and Commonwealth Games medallist Vinesh Phogat are protesting at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, seeking action against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers.

Usha, who is a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha and recently appointed president of the Indian Olympic Association, has rubbed many the wrong way saying that the IOA has an athletes' commission and instead of going on the streets, wrestlers could have come to the IOA.

Tharoor, the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, took to Twitter and wrote: "Dear @PTUshaOfficial, it is does not become you to disparage the justified protests of your fellow sportspersons in the face of repeated & wanton sexual harassment. Their standing up for their rights does not "tarnish the image of the nation". Ignoring their concerns - instead of hearing them out, investigating them & taking just action - does."

Reacting to PT Usha, Mahua Moitra of Trinamool Congress (TMC) said, “Wrestlers protesting on streets tarnishing India’s image says @PTUshaOfficial So ruling party MP chairing WFI for years accused of molestation & abuse of power against who @DelhiPolice refuses to lodge FIR in spite of SC order makes India smell of roses, does it? #StopCrawling.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also slammed PT Usha’s remarks and said that all should “collectively speak up for sportswomen”.

IANS with inputs from other sources