Sabotage vs support: Govt, Opposition wrestle it out in Parl
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 7
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s shock exit from the Paris Olympics triggered a massive political sparring back home with the Congress-led Opposition crying “conspiracy” behind the tragic development even as India lodged a strong protest with the world wrestling body.
Opposition parties walked out of both houses after Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya made a statement in Parliament, informing MPs that Phogat had been disqualified under the United World Wrestling rules.
Soon after it was reported that Phogat was disqualified after being found overweight by 100 gm, PM Narendra Modi spoke to Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha in Paris and asked her to explore the full range of options to help the wrestler.
In a consolation post earlier, PM Modi called Phogat “a champion among champions” and Home Minister Amit Shah said this “misfortune is merely an exception in Vinesh’s trailblazing career”.
“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,” said Modi.
An unamused Opposition, however, asked why the PM, who congratulated the Indian hockey team even after it lost the semi-final match to Germany on Tuesday, did not similarly congratulate Phogat after she took down reigning Olympic champion 3-2 in the pre-quarter final match.
“Who stabbed Phogat in the back? Who are the people who could not digest her success? She won three bouts. How did her weight increase suddenly?” Congress leader Randeep Surjewala asked, alleging Phogat had earlier been warned of destruction of career. “If the PM can intervene in the Russia-Ukraine war, why can’t he intervene to get Phogat justice?” quipped Surjewala, alleging conspiracy — an indication SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also gave as he demanded a probe into “technical reasons” behind her exit.
TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee demanding a Bharat Ratna or a Rajya Sabha nomination for the wrestler. The tragic events of the day had the Opposition up in arms with India bloc MPs protesting inside and outside Parliament against the government and Surjewala prophesying: “People will give the BJP a fitting reply.” The veiled reference was in respect of the upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana — Phogat’s home state — where hope turned into despair on Wednesday with wrestler’s uncle Mahavir Phogat blaming her diet coach.
Phogat had last year led a prolonged protest against then WFI chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over alleged sexual harassment of some female wrestlers. Though Singh exited the body, his aide Sanjay Singh swept the WFI election in December 2023. As a political fallout of the protest, which Phogat and fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik led, Brij Bhushan lost the BJP nomination from his parliamentary seat of Kaiserganj in UP.
That was hardly a consolation for wrestlers as Singh’s son Karan bagged the nomination and won the segment by a margin of 1.48 lakh votes against his SP rival in the Lok Sabha poll.
Champion among champions: Modi
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… Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you. — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
Uproar as govt says ~70L spent on Vinesh
- The government on Wednesday said in Parliament it had given ~70,45,775 aid to Vinesh Phogat for Olympics preparations
- “Personal staff appointed for her includes Hungarian coach Woller Akos, strength and conditioning specialists Wayne Lombard and Mayank Gariya, physio Ashwini Patil and sparring partners Shubham and Arvind,” Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said
- Opposition MPs criticised the mention of the amount spent on Vinesh’s training in the government’s statement
Probe role of Vinesh’s staff: Sule
NCP leader Supriya Sule said Mandaviya's statement on Vinesh was highly condemnable. “Vinesh has lost a medal and there has to be a detailed inquiry of the nutritionist, doctors, a physiotherapist and the entire support team sanctioned and selected by the IOA that accompanied her,” she said.
