Former actress Pooja Bhatt has slammed Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha for criticizing the wrestlers protesting on the streets against the public Wrestling Federation India president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. For the unversed, Indian wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, are protesting against Brij Bhushan over claims of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation. Now, Pooja Bhatt has hit at PT Usha and thanked Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Singh for voicing his support for the wrestlers.
Taking to her Twitter handle, the actor re-posted Jayant’s tweet that read, “Our top wrestlers were on the streets in January and should have been heard when they first spoke about abuse. PT Usha’s comments (are) in poor taste! I stand with my champions.” Sharing this, she wrote, “Thank you @jayantrld for your stand, for raising your voice and for being by their side when most have deserted them. It is heartbreaking to see our top athletes left with no choice but to take to the streets and to then be reprimanded/issue gaslit by legends like PT Usha.” ALSO READ: Pooja Bhatt Tests Positive For COVID-19; Says, ‘Mask Up People, Virus Is Still Very Much Around And Can Get To You Despite Being Fully Vaccinated'
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is having a committee for sexual harassment, instead of going to the streets they (protesting wrestlers) could have come to us earlier but they didn't come to IOA. It isn't good for Sports not only for wrestlers, they should also have some… pic.twitter.com/EaeHQOE4rI
— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2023
Thank you @jayantrld for your stand,for raising your voice & for being by their side when most have deserted them. It is heartbreaking to see our top athletes left with no choice but to take to the streets & to then be reprimanded/issue gaslit by legends like #PTUsha 🙏 https://t.co/LZBI2OPLm0
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) April 28, 2023
Talking to the media, PT Usha stated “Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is having a committee for sexual harassment, instead of going to the streets they (protesting wrestlers) could have come to us earlier but they didn’t come to IOA. It isn’t good for Sports not only for wrestlers, they should also have some discipline.” Reacting to her remarks, wrestler Sakshi Malik said she is hurt by PT Usha's comment and for not supporting them despite being a woman herself.
However, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh has denied all allegations against him and said that he will prove himself ‘innocent.’