Political Spats, "Conspiracy" Charges After Vinesh Phogat Disqualified

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat was due to compete in the final of the 50-kg freestyle competition.

New Delhi:

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s heartbreaking disqualification from the Paris Olympics today – for being 100 grams overweight – was followed by strong political reactions, with the Congress-led opposition raising questions. 

Ms Phogat was removed from the competition hours before she was to take on the United States’ Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the final of the 50-kg women’s freestyle wrestling event.

Shortly after the disqualification Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, calling Ms Phogat “a champion among champions” and urging her to “come back stronger”. “Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair I am experiencing. At the same time… you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head-on. We are rooting for you,” he said.

PM Modi, Ministers’ Message Of Support

The Prime Minister was joined by other senior members of the Indian government, including Home Minister Amit Shah, in hailing Ms Phogat’s resilience. Mr Shah, for example, said “this misfortune is an exception in her trailblazing career… am sure she will bounce back to win…”

READ | Can Vinesh Phogat’s Disqualification Be Overturned? PM Modi

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called Ms Phogat “a beacon of hope and pride for India”.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya spoke in the Lok Sabha, accompanied by protests from the opposition. Mr Mandaviya’s statement, however, raised eyebrows and several opposition MPs – including those from the Congress, the Trinamool, the Samajwadi Party – walked out.

READ | Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Out Of Olympics Over Weight, India Appeals

“The government has provided all necessary assistance to Vinesh Phogat. Personal staff, including notable Hungarian coach Woller Akos and physio Ashwini Jiwan Patil, were assigned to her,” he said.

“Additionally, financial assistance for other personal staff, including sparring partners and strength and conditioning experts, was provided. She received a total of Rs 17,45,775 for the Paris Olympics.”

Dissatisfied opposition MPs started shouting slogans and pointed to the government’s conduct with the wrestlers in previous instances, and claimed the government is not taking serious action in this matter.

However, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla did not allow them to speak.

“Coaches, Physiotherapists Paid In Lakhs”

The opposition has launched multiple attacks on the government. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Bhagwant Mann met Ms Phogat’s uncle, Mahavir Phogat, in Haryana.

#WATCH | Charkhi Dadri, Haryana | On Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says,” To check her weight was the work of her coaches and physiotherapists. Now, the decision has come. This injustice should have been stopped…Did they (The Centre) fix anyone’s… pic.twitter.com/0UmPHc7s4Q

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2024

“… such mistakes are happening (at) such a high level. Coaches and physiotherapists are paid in lakhs… to check her weight was their work. Have they gone there for holidays?” he asked reporters after the meeting.

“40 Crore Indians Shocked”, Congress Attacks

On X Congress MP Randeep Surjewala claimed a “conspiracy”. “40 crore Indians are shocked… this is a huge “hate conspiracy”. But know that the country is with her…” Mr Surjewala said.

The Congress leader’s lengthy tweet also included detailed references to the #MeToo protest against six-time former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh, who faces charges of sexual harassment. Unmoved by his protestations of innocence a Delhi court said there is “sufficient evidence” to proceed.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also responded, but with less controversial remarks. Mr Gandhi called the disqualification “unfortunate” while Mrs Gandhi Vadra said, “My sister… do not consider yourself alone… remember you will always be our champion.”

“Conspiracy Vs Conspiracy”

The “conspiracy” tag, however, was lobbed back by another BJP leader – ex-boxer Vijender Singh, who claimed a conspiracy against India’s medal hopes by “people who are not happy to see India rise as a sporting nation”.

“I think it might be sabotage. 100 grams… you have got to be kidding me. Athletes can shed five to six kg overnight. It is difficult… but we know how to control hunger, thirst…” he said.

READ | “Phogat Can’t Make This Mistake, May Be Sabotage”: Vijender Singh

Mr Singh, a former Congress member, is the only Indian male boxer to win an Olympic medal. “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…”

Electoral Impact?

This could also provide the Congress and others, specially the AAP, with ammunition to attack the BJP in Haryana, the wrestler’s home state, ahead of an Assembly election later this year.

The Haryana government has urged against politicising the issue; Transport and Mines Minister Mool Chand Sharma hailed Ms Phogat as the “pride of our state…. country”. “The whole country is sad our daughter has been disqualified… but people should not do politics on this…” he said.

#WATCH | Paris: On Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from #ParisOlympics2024, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda says, “The entire country is in shock. Our daughter had worked so hard to reach the finals. When athletes of the world were practising on wrestling mats,… pic.twitter.com/8a5jmh5xvk

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2024

The Congress – hoping to oust the BJP from the state, after a strong showing the April-June Lok Sabha election – hit back through five-time MP Deepender Singh Hooda. “Our daughter worked hard to reach the finals… when athletes were practising  she was sitting in protest to seek justice for Indian women in wrestling. She still made it to the finals. Where and how did things go wrong?”

With input from agencies

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