The Congress on Wednesday termed the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the women 50 kg final wrestling event as ‘unfortunate’ and urged the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to strongly challenge the decision and provide justice to the daughter of the country.
On social media platform X, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said, “It is unfortunate that Vinesh Phogat, India’s pride, who reached the finals after defeating world champion wrestlers, was disqualified on technical grounds”.
“We have full hope that the Indian Olympic Association will strongly challenge this decision and provide justice to the daughter of the country,” Gandhi said.
The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said, “Vinesh is not one to give up, we are confident that she will come back stronger in the arena. You have always made the country proud Vinesh. Even today the whole country stands with you as your strength”.
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge too called the decision as ‘distressing’.
On his microblogging site X, Kharge said, “India’s pride, Vinesh Phogat defeated world champions but has been disqualified due to technical reasons. She went through a lot. From protesting at the footpath for justice to reaching the pinnacle podium of the Olympics”.
“It is extremely distressing of what she must be going through. The government should make all efforts to make an appeal with the @iocmedia and provide justice to our champion. We are with you @Phogat_Vinesh and our prayers are with you. Your courage is forever inspiring. We believe that you will return to the ring with greater determination,” he said.
Notably, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics. The disqualification came after Phogat weighed in “a few grams over” the 50kg limit this morning, shattering hopes of a medal in what promised to be a historic Olympic journey.
