Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Opposition INDIA bloc staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha today after being denied a discussion on the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat was disqualified on Wednesday for being 100 grams overweight, just hours before her historic 50-kg freestyle gold medal match against the USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.
The issue arose when Leader of Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to address the matter in the House. However, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar did not permit the discussion, prompting Kharge and other Opposition leaders to express their frustration.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien also tried to raise issues but was reprimanded by Chairman Dhankhar for his conduct. “You are shouting at the Chair. Your conduct is ugliest in the House. I condemn your actions. Next time I will show you the door,” Dhankhar warned. As the uproar intensified, Opposition leaders walked out in protest.
Dhankhar remarked that the entire nation was saddened by Phogat’s disqualification but accused the Opposition of politicizing the matter, calling it “the greatest disrespect to her.”
Vinesh Phogat, who announced her retirement from wrestling today, made history as the first Indian female wrestler to reach the final of the 50 kg category in the Olympics by winning three matches on Tuesday. Typically competing in the 53 kg category, she had moved down to 50 kg for the Paris Games.
Earlier on Tuesday, INDIA bloc members also walked out from the Lok Sabha, dissatisfied with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s statement regarding Phogat. Some opposition leaders criticized Mandaviya for highlighting the financial assistance provided to Phogat for her Olympic preparations.
In his statement to the Lok Sabha, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya detailed the government’s support for Vinesh Phogat, including personal staff and a total financial assistance of Rs 70,45,775 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), weigh-ins are organized every morning for the respective category,” Mandaviya explained.
“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.
Mandaviya also mentioned that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had lodged a “strong protest” with the world wrestling body regarding Phogat’s disqualification. He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had instructed IOA chief PT Usha, who is in Paris, to take “appropriate action” in the matter.
