Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is getting into politics. After competing in the Olympics, she is now running in state elections.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat is not the first Indian Olympian to venture into politics. Photo: Picture Alliance
It has been a long time coming, but now it is certain. Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat will contest the state elections in her home state of Haryana. Her candidacy is supported by the Congress party in the Julana constituency, which she recently joined. “I will overcome this fight just as I faced all the difficulties in the arena,” the 30-year-old said at a rally where she was garlanded and felicitated. She explained that she will win with the love she has experienced. Her fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia has also joined the party. But it will not be a free win. The Congress party last won in Julana in 2005. Her challenger is Amarjeet Dhanda, the incumbent legislator of the local JJP.
Vinesh Phogat is well known but this is his first time in politics. Haryana is also known as the most patriarchal state in India with the highest gender gap. Every year, more boys are born there than girls. On the other hand, Haryana is considered the home of Indian sports. Wrestling in particular is very important and many families encourage their children’s sports ambitions. Phogat also comes from a famous wrestling family and has participated in the Olympics three times so far.
She made it to the finals at the Paris Olympics this summer. But she was disqualified. The freestyle wrestler weighed 100 grams, too much to compete for gold in the 50-kilogram weight class. A bitter setback that only became a problem after a few fights. She was already sure of a silver medal, but her name was removed from the Olympic results list due to being overweight.
She has received little solidarity from the Indian government during these difficult times. Nevertheless, she is undeterred and is now embarking on a new chapter in her career. Speculation has grown since her meeting with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi (Congress). Aside from the tournament, she made a name for herself last year when she led a protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and a senior sports official. Under the then president of the National Wrestling Federation, there were allegations of withholding of funds for young talent and abuse and sexual assault. Phogat was one of the loudest voices demanding his ouster. Through the sit-in, top wrestlers drew attention to their grievances and declared war on the political establishment in Delhi.
Singh, the ousted association leader after his nomination, again criticized Phogat and Punia. He alleged that the two were being used by the Congress party to harm him and the BJP. Vinesh also cannot expect support from her cousin and former wrestler Babita Phogat. She is a BJP member.
Phogat is not the first Indian Olympian to venture into politics. The most notable example is boxer Mary Kom, who was a member of the upper house of parliament until 2022. The Congress party has a good political chance in Haryana, but even India’s oldest political party could benefit from a personality like Vinesh Phogat. It remains to be seen whether she can win one of the 90 seats. The elections are held on October 5.
