The Opposition INDIA bloc members today walked out from Rajya Sabha after they were not allowed to discuss the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics 2024.
Ms Phogat was on Wednesday disqualified from the international multi-sport event for being 100 grams overweight, hours before she was to take on the US’ Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the historic 50-kg freestyle gold medal match.
“The INDIA bloc members have staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha over the Vinesh Phogat issue. We wanted to discuss the issues surrounding her Olympics disqualification but the government is not ready,” Congress MP Pramod Tiwari told reporters outside the Parliament.
He also asked Ms Phogat, who announced her retirement from wrestling today, to not lose hope and said that the whole country is supporting her.
The 29-year-old has become the first Indian female wrestler to reach the final of 50kg Olympics wrestling by winning three matches on Tuesday. Ms Phogat usually competed in the 53 kg category and had moved down to the 50 kg weight class for the Paris Olympic Games.
Earlier Tuesday, INDIA bloc members had walked out from the Lok Sabha after expressing their dissatisfaction with the Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s statement in the House on Ms Phogat.
Some opposition leaders hit out at Mr Mandaviya for detailing the financial assistance given to the grappler for her Olympic preparations.
Sports Minister’s Statement On Vinesh Phogat In Lok Sabha
Speaking in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Mansukh Mandaviya said the government had provided all possible assistance to Vinesh Phogat according to her requirements which included personal staff.
The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also said a total financial assistance of Rs 70,45,775 was given for the Paris Olympic cycle.
“Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics due to being overweight by 100 gm. Vinesh was playing in the 50 kg category and her weight had to be 50 kg for the competition. According to the rules and regulations of UWW (United World Wrestling), for all competitions, weigh-ins are organised every morning for the respective category,” Mr Mandaviya said.
“According to Article 11, ‘If an athlete does not participate or fails in the weigh-in (first or second), they are disqualified from the competition and placed last without any rank,” he added.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has lodged a “strong protest” with the world wrestling body over this matter, he said.
Mr Mandaviya said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked IOA chief PT Usha, who is in Paris, to take “appropriate action” in the matter.
