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IOA Chief PT Usha Meets Protesting Wrestlers At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar

IOA chief PT Usha had earlier criticised top Indian wrestlers for holding protest against the federation chief Brij Bhushan Singh over alleged sexual harassment.

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PT Usha made her statements while speaking to reporters after IOAs Executive Committee meeting.
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Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha on Wednesday met protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.

Earlier, Usha had criticised wrestlers for protesting against the federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over alleged sexual harassment.

The NDTV report said Usha left the protest site without talking to the media.

The report quoting wrestler Bajrang Punia said she has assured help to the players. 

"Usha said her comments were misinterpreted and that she is first an athlete and then an administrator," the report quoted Punia as having said.

"She said she will try to resolve all our problems," Punia was quoted in the report as having said.

Usha had last month 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.

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 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,” it mentioned.

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

"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.