Livid with Abhinav Bindra's sustained campaign against tainted officials in the Indian Olympic Association, the suspended body's president Abhey Singh Chautala today launched a stinging personal attack on the Olympic gold-medallist shooter, saying he should first sort his house in order before commenting on others.
Chautala took a dig at the former world champion's industrialist father, A S Bindra, who was arrested in 2009 for alleged financial irregularities.
"If Bindra feels that chargesheeted people should be stripped of their positions then he should throw his father out of his house or leave his house himself," Chautala, a senior leader of the principal opposition party in Haryana -- the Indian National Lok Dal -- said while addressing a press conference here today in connection with the State Assembly session.
The comment drew sharp reaction from the National Rifles Association of India (NRAI) with its president Raninder Singh saying 'Chautala should focus on putting his own house in order'.
"It's like the big pot calling the small kettle black. People who live in glasshouses should not make such statements. Our Olympic medallist is being attacked with very shallow words. I know the Bindra family well. He (Bindra) has every right to speak. As NRAI President, I strongly condemn this," Raninder said.
Bindra also got the backing of tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, who is also campaigning for the ouster of tainted officials from the IOA.
"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 are and will always remain India's Golden boy!!" tweeted Bhupathi.
