Days after censure, PT Usha meets protesting wrestlers, assures help

New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha on Wednesday met with protesting wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

Her visit comes days after her disapproval of their campaign for calling the federation’s chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to account over allegations of sexual harassment.

PT Usha, the former Olympian, has not interacted with the media as she left the protest site, according to NDTV.

However, wrestler Bajrang Punia reportedly said that PT Usha offered to help the players, while calling herself first an athlete, then an administrator.

She was quoted as saying that her comments were misinterpreted.

Former Olympian previously called out the wrestlers for the taking out the protest without waiting for the expert committee’s report over their allegations, saying that ‘The protest amounts to indiscipline.’

Usha controversially said that the players should not have protested on the streets, adding that it is not good for the game and the country.

The wrestlers vehemently reacted to her comments, saying they were looking up for her support when they were hurt by her comments.

Usha was roundly criticized in the media and in the political circles as well.

Wrestler Sakshi Malik reportedly said ‘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.’

Two cases have been filed against Sharan Singh on sexual assault charges, of which one FIR is based on a complaint by a minor that will come under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, according to NDTV.

However the wrestlers continue their protest demanding the ‘immediate arrest’ of the WFI chief.