PT Usha meets protesting wrestlers days after her "indiscipline" remark

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 03, 2023: Days after critisising the #MeToo protest against the federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha today met the wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

 

PT Usha had criticised the wrestlers for not waiting for the report of a committee that has been tasked to look into their allegations before deciding to sit on a public protest.

"The protest amounts to indiscipline," she 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," Ms Usha said.

The wrestlers had reacted strongly to Ms Usha’s statement, saying they were hurt by her comments as they were looking up to her for support.

"We feel hurt by PT Usha’s comment. She is not supporting us despite being a woman herself. What indiscipline have we done? We are sitting here peacefully. If we had got justice, we would not have done this," wrestler Sakshi Malik had said.’

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat alleged she dialled Ms Usha to discuss their matter, but she did not answer his call. "... We don’t know whether she is under some kinds of pressure," Ms 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 Singh 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.

Despite the assurance of police action, the wrestlers said they will continue their sit-in protest demanding the "immediate arrest" of the WFI chief.

"We respect Supreme Court’s order, but we don’t have faith in Delhi Police. This fight is not for an FIR. This fight is to punish people like him. He needs to be in jail and stripped of his portfolios," the wrestlers had said.