Vinesh Phogat row: Sarv khap panchayats seek probe
Deepender Deswal
Tribune News Service
Hisar, August 12
Suspecting a conspiracy in the weight fiasco related to wrestler Vinesh Phogat in the Paris Olympics, a sarv khap mahapanchayat has demanded a high-level probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court and also decided to honour the player with a ‘gold medal’ on behalf of the khap panchayats of Haryana. The mahapanchayat also demanded Bharat Ratna for the wrestler.
The mahapanchayat was organised at the invitation of the Sangwan khap panchayat in Kheri Boora village near Charkhi Dadri town yesterday. Representatives of some other khap panchayats also attended the meeting.
After discussion at the meeting, Sombir Sangwan, who is the pradhan of the Sangwan khap and also the Independent MLA of the Charkhi Dadri Assembly segment, said the khap panchayats would organise a civic reception to honour the wrestler and confer a ‘gold medal’ equal to the weight of the medal of the Olympics to her. The function will be organised after consultation with Vinesh Phogat, he said.
Sangwan said all khap panchayats would submit a memorandum to the President of India via deputy commissioners in various districts to urge the government not to let such injustice happen with any other player in future. He said the sarv khap mahapanchat had also appealed to Vinesh to reconsider her decision to take retirement from the game and vowed that the khap panchayats were ready to back her in her pursuits. The MLA also demanded Bharat Ratna for Vinesh and urged the Centre and state governments to confer all facilities and benefits which were available to an Olympics gold medal winner.
