New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi took to X and lauded India grappler Vinesh Phogat after the 29-year-old from Haryana created history by being the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the Olympic final after beating Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman 5-0 in the semi-final match on Tuesday, August 6. In the final, she will face USA's Sarah Hildebrandt.
In the post, Gandhi lauded her and said that the echo of her success in Paris could be heard in the national capital, taking a sly dig at those who doubted Phogat's capabilities and intentions.
The post read: "Today, along with Vinesh, the entire country is emotional after defeating three top wrestlers of the world in a single day. All those who denied the struggle of Vinesh and her teammates, and even questioned their intentions and abilities, have got their answer.
एक ही दिन में दुनिया की तीन धुरंधर पहलवानों को हराने के बाद आज विनेश के साथ-साथ पूरा देश भावुक है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2024
जिन्होंने भी विनेश और उसके साथियों के संघर्ष को झुठलाया, उनकी नीयत और काबिलियत तक पर प्रश्नचिन्ह खड़े किए, उन सभी को जवाब मिल चुका है।
आज भारत की बहादुर बेटी के सामने सत्ता का… pic.twitter.com/MzfIrYfRog
Today, the entire power system that had made India shed tears of blood collapsed in front of her brave daughter. This is the identity of champions, they give their answer from the field. Best wishes Vinesh. The echo of your success in Paris can be heard clearly till Delhi."
A torn ligament. A lower weight category. An unbeaten world champion. Nothing stands in her way. Can’t wait to cheer @Phogat_Vinesh as she goes for gold. Your resilience and strength inspire us all. What an inspiring day, here’s hoping for one more! 🌟🇮🇳 #Paris2024 #Wrestling… pic.twitter.com/3AZ56wKEEZ
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 6, 2024
Why is this victory significant politically?
Phogat was one of the three top wrestlers, who led a protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and then BJP MP, accusing him of sexually harassing female wrestlers. Other wrestlers who stood alongside her were Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik.
On the day of the new Parliament's inauguration back in May 2023, Phogat, Punia, Malik, and Sangeeta Phogat, along with several other protesting wrestlers, were taken into custody by the Delhi Police. An FIR was lodged against them for disrupting peace. On May 30, the wrestlers travelled to Haridwar and submerged their medals in the Ganga in protest.
Brij Bhushan led the WFI for 12 years before resigning in 2023. In addition, the six-time MP was dropped by the BJP from contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The protests shook the nation with several accusing the Centre of intolerance towards sportspersons.
Bajrang Punia, an Olympic medallist took to X on Tuesday, August 6 after Phogat's historic win, reminded people of the torture and abuse she was subjected to during the protests. "This girl was kicked and crushed in her own country. This girl was dragged on the streets in her country This girl is going to conquer the world but she lost to the system in this country," he wrote.
विनेश ने इतिहास रच दिया है. विनेश महिला कुश्ती में ओलंपिक के फाइनल में पहुंचने वाली पहली भारतीय महिला पहलवान बन गई हैं.
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) August 6, 2024
आज सब भारतीयों की आंखों में आसूं हैं.
ये देश की बेटियां हैं, जिन्होंने हमेशा ही देश की शान बढ़ाई है. जिन लोगों ने हमेशा इन बेटियों की राह में कांटे बिछाए… pic.twitter.com/NJ8t4p4h0Y
Since her historic achievement, congratulations have poured in. Still, the Indian sports fraternity is also curious about the reaction of Singh and the ruling government to this victory, considering their stand on the protests that stormed Jantar Mantar last year.
Challenges Faced
After the protests, Phogat overcame a knee injury that barred her from competing in the Asian Games in 2023 and had to fight several other obstacles, including police beatings and a hate campaign on social media by followers of the Hindu nationalist party. She also took the tough choice to compete in the Olympics by shifting from the 53 kg to the 50 kg weight class.
Bajrang Punia Reacts
Questioning the conscience of the Centre and the BJP IT cell, Punia posed some questions after his colleague's win. Taking to social media he asked, "It will be a slap on the face of BJP IT cell and Brij Bhushan Singh, who were barking at her. How will they be able to look the daughters, sisters of India in the eye?"
Abhinav Bindra Reacts
Olympic Gold medalist Abhinav Bindra stated that nothing could stop Vinesh Phogat from reaching the final bout, despite having a ruptured ligament and competing in a lesser weight class.
"A torn ligament. A lower weight category. An unbeaten world champion. Nothing stands in her way. Can't wait to cheer @Phogat_Vinesh as she goes for gold. Your resilience and strength inspire us all. What an inspiring day, here's hoping for one more," Bindra wrote on X.
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