Abhey Singh Chautala stooped to a new low as he launched a scathing personal attack on Olympic gold medallist ... Read More

BANGALORE/CHANDIGARH: Call it arrogance or desperation. The president of the suspended Indian Olympic Association, Abhey Singh Chautala , who been accused of shielding tainted officials, stooped to a new low on Friday as he launched a scathing personal attack on Olympic gold medallist and national hero Abhinav Bindra .

"Abhinav's father has been in jail for more than a month in a cheque-bouncing case. If Bindra has a problem with tainted people, then he should first disown his father or leave his father's house immediately," Chautala said.

It is clear that Abhinav's untiring efforts in uniting the sporting fraternity, first through a column in TOI and then through an online petition against a "corrupt IOA" that has gathered more than 21,000 signatures, has unnerved the IOA bosses. IOA has since then been asked by the world body ( IOC ) to revise it constitution and debar persons charged by a court of law from contesting elections. Friday's outburst by Chautala seems to be the reaction of a cornered, desperate person.

"It's all absurd. Will anyone believe this? Abhinav is an honest person and his parents are honourable. We are debt-free entities and we owe no bank nothing. Such propaganda which has no connection to IOA is false, frivolous and unfounded," Abhinav's father AS Bindra told TOI.

Abhinav took it in his stride. "Have nothing to say as it doesn't deserve a reaction. Nothing will deter me and fellow athletes in our goal to clean Indian sports and take it forward," he tweeted.

Chautala, whose father and elder brother were convicted recently, also attacked sports minister Jitendra Singh on Friday. "He (sports minister) should have sentiments for the nation. Rather than supporting a foreign body, the minister should support us... He (sports minister) has himself been chargesheeted in his home district, so he has no right to say anything about IOA members."

Athletes rally behind Abhinav

Hours after Chautala's outburst, top sportspersons rallied in support of the champion shooter. "I think this is not called for. It is time to talk about IOA and Indian sports and not about personal things. I don't think Abhinav said anything personal against anyone (in this debate). All he said was IOA officials should be clean," said shooter Samresh Jung.

Top rifle shooter from Punjab, Avneet Kaur also expressed her support for Abhinav. "Such cheap comments show how selfish he (Chautala) is. If he can do this to Abhinav, what will be the plight of the others who speak against him?" wondered Avneet, a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Punjab. "I wonder how such a person can lead our country's top sporting body," she added.

Shooter Anjali Bhagwat said the comments show the desperation of the top official. "Passing personal comments doesn't suit a person of his stature. It only shows his guilt and desperation."

Lawyer threatens suit

AS Bindra's lawyer Sanjiv Sen said the crux of the allegation doesn't exist. "All this (the case against Abhinav's father) was settled quite some time back. There is no case pending. Neither he nor any of his companies is involved in any litigation or dispute with any bank of financial institution or any person. All wild allegations made by Mr Chautala are vehemently denied," the lawyer said. "These comments are defamatory and untrue. If he (Chautala) has said what is being reported then a criminal defamatory action may be taken if he doesn't apologize," the lawyer said.

What can I say about such people who do not hesitate in attacking India's only individual Olympic gold medallist? Abhinav Bindra is a genuine National hero and Abhey Singh Chautala makes allegations of this nature just to protect his position. It is very unfortunate and only reveals their mentality to go to any lengths to hang on to power - Jitendra Singh, sports minister.

The 140 character limit on twitter doesn't really help with all I want to say about the IOA attacking @Abhinav_Bindra and his family but...I promise you @Abhinav_Bindra you have all the support you need and more. Are and will always remain India's Golden boy!! - Mahesh Bhupathi, ace tennis player.

Chautalas should be the last person making such statement. He should remember that people who live in glass houses should not make such statements. Bindra has every right to speak and he is fighting for the right cause - Raninder Singh, NRAI president.