Vinesh didn't fail in wrestling, she became victim of "sports politics": Congress after grappler's disqualification

New Delhi [India], August 7 : The Congress party came out heavily against the Bharatiya Janata Party after the disqualification of Indian grappler Vinesh Phogat from the women's 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics, and said Vinesh didn't fail in the wrestling match but became a victim of "sports politics".
Launching a scathing attack on the Centre, Surjewala said "some people" are avoiding even tweeting about Vinesh's victory in the semi-final as she's the same player who protested at Jantar Mantar against "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's favourite Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh."
"India's daughter Vinesh Phogat unfurled the Indian flag at the Paris Olympics. Vinesh Phogat didn't fail in the wrestling match but she became a victim of sports politics. The 140 crore citizens of the country, who were celebrating yesterday, are upset today," he said at a press conference in the national capital on Wednesday.
"Some people were avoiding to tweet about her victory in the semi-finals. This is because this is the same Vinesh Phogat who raised her voice against PM Modi's favourite Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In 2023, she raised her voice against the physical, and mental torture against the PM's favourite Brij Bhushan. This is the same Vinesh Phogat who protested at Jantar Mantar. This is the same Vinesh Phogat against whom BJP filed an FIR," Surjewala added.
The Congress leader further questioned the "silence" of the Wrestling Federation of India on the matter and said the country wants answers to these questions.
"The weight was fine on the first day, the next day the weight increased? What happened? Why is the Indian government concealing, why aren't they demanding justice? Why is the Wrestling Federation of India silent? Why is the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) silent? Why aren't they approaching the International Wrestling Federation for justice?" he said.
"When our hockey team played very well, even if they lost the game in the semi-final, our Prime Minister and Sports Minister tweeted an encouraging post. And when Vinesh won 7 matches our government remained silent. But when she was disqualified, leaders along with the PM consoled her with tweets. We don't want a consoling tweet. We want justice," the Congress leader added.
Vinesh was one win away from clinching India's first gold medal at the Paris Olympics and was set to face United States wrestler Sarah Ann Hildebrandt at the final on Wednesday night. But the hopes were crushed after Vinesh tipped the scales above the 50kg mark and was subsequently disqualified today.
A lot of attempts were made to bring down Vinesh's weight overnight. However, it wasn't sufficient to get her weight in check.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi consoled Vinesh after she was disqualified from the competition.
"Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take on challenges head-on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you," the PM said in a post on X.
Vinesh Phogat had entered the Gold medal contest after beating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night. However, following Vinesh's disqualification, Guzman has proceeded to the final.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha stated that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has filed a complaint to United World Wrestling (UWW) to reconsider Vinesh's disqualification.