New Delhi: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s shock disqualification from the Paris Olympics became a political flashpoint Wednesday, with the Opposition parties suggesting that the grappler, who led protests against former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, could have been a victim of sabotage.
Apart from statements demanding a thorough investigation behind the episode that stunned the country, the INDIA bloc parties also walked out from both the Houses of Parliament expressing displeasure over Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s statement and the Centre’s refusal to clarify the doubts of the Opposition leaders.
In his statement, Mandaviya said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief P.T. Usha, a celebrated Olympian herself, to take “appropriate action” in the matter. The IOA has also lodged a strong protest with the United World Wrestling over the disqualification, Mandaviya added.
Taking to ‘X’, Modi lauded Vinesh , terming her as “a champion among champions”. “You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you,” the PM posted.
The Opposition leaders also heaped praises on Vinesh, who had assured a silver medal for the country by entering the finals in the 50 kg category on Tuesday, while also insisting that the government must challenge her disqualification on technical grounds.
“It is unfortunate that Vinesh Phogat, India’s pride, who reached the finals after defeating world champion wrestlers, was disqualified on technical grounds. We have full hope that the Indian Olympic Association will strongly challenge this decision and provide justice to the daughter of the country. Vinesh is not one to give up, we are confident that she will come back stronger in the arena. You have always made the country proud Vinesh. Even today the whole country stands with you as your strength,” Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi posted on ‘X’.
In fact, when Rahul was about to make a Zero Hour mention on Wayanad, MPs of the treasury benches were on their feet, thinking the LoP was going to refer to Phogat’s disqualification. However, Rahul stuck to the calamity in Wayanad in his statement.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the Centre make all efforts to “provide her justice”. “She went through a lot. From protesting at the footpath for justice to reaching the pinnacle podium of the Olympics. It is extremely distressing of what she must be going through,” Kharge said, alluding to her protests against Brij Bhushan, a former MP of the BJP.
While the BJP did not field Brij Bhushan in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, his son Karan Bhushan Singh won from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj, which was represented by the BJP strongman, who was chargesheeted by the Delhi Police after a Delhi court ordered framing of charges against him.
Veteran boxer Vijender Singh, meanwhile, suggested that Vinesh’s disqualification from the Olympic final may have been an act of sabotage.
“I think it might be sabotage. 100gm, you have got to be kidding me. We, athletes, can shed 5 to 6 kg overnight. It is difficult no doubt but we know how to control our hunger, thirst, and exert to the extreme,” Singh, who joined the BJP in April, told PTI.
“And when I say sabotage I mean people who are not happy to see India rise as a sporting nation. This girl has been through so much, your heart breaks for her. What more could she have done? Which other test?”
Former UP chief minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also demanded a thorough investigation into the reasons behind Vinesh’s disqualification. “It should be ensured what is the truth and the real reason behind it,” Yadav added.
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien lauded Phogat for fighting “the whole establishment deserves justice. Something is rotten. Very rotten. The truth must come out”.
Abhishek Banerjee of the TMC proposed that Vinesh should be either awarded the Bharat Ratna or nominated to the Rajya Sabha. “This is the least we can do for her, considering the immense struggle she has faced,” he posted on ‘X’.
AAP Rajya Sabha floor leader Sanjay Singh said the decision to disqualify Phogat amounted to “insulting” the country and demanded that India should boycott the Olympics if its arguments challenging the disqualification were not accepted.
(Edited by Tony Rai)