IOA Head PT Usha Meets Protesting Wrestlers Days after Her “Indiscipline” Comment

New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha met the agitating wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Wednesday. A few days back she had criticized the #MeToo protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

PT Usha had come down on the protesting wrestlers for not waiting for the report of a committee looking into their allegations. “The protest amounts to indiscipline,” PT Usha had said

“The players should not have protested on the streets. They should have at least waited for the report of the committee. What they have done is not good for the game and the country. It is a negative approach,” PT Usha said. Her statement evoked a strong response from protesting wrestlers as well as from different sections of society.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat alleged she dialled PT Usha to discuss their matter, but she did not answer his call. “… We don’t know whether she is under some kinds of pressure,” Vinesh Phogat said.

Top Indian wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in the national capital against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment. The Delhi Police have filed two cases against Mr Sharma over the sexual assault allegations against him. One of the FIRs is based on a complaint by a minor, filed under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.