“When we were dragged on the streets…”: Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia join Congress
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who shook the political scene in Haryana just weeks ahead of the assembly elections in the state, have joined the Congress.
The two Olympians, who were at the forefront of protests against alleged sexual harassment and threats by former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh last year, had met senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.
On Friday, Ms Phogat and Mr Punia, who are both 30, met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence before formally joining the party at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
“Chak de India, Chak de Haryana! Met our talented champions Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia at 10 Rajaji Marg, who have made India proud in the world. We are proud of you both,” Mr Kharge posted in Hindi on Twitter.
Chak de India, Chak de Haryana!
Met our talented champions Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia at 10 Rajaji Marg, who have made India proud in the world.
Speaking at the event organised at the Congress office, Ms Phogat said it is only when times are bad that people realise who really stands with them.
“I hope I live up to the expectations of the people of this country, who have supported me throughout my wrestling career. Thank you.”
I want to thank the Congress because, as they say, when times are bad, only then one realises who stands with them. When we were dragged on the streets, every party except the BJP stood with us and understood our pain and our tears,” she said in Hindi.
“I take pride in belonging to a party that opposes mistreatment and unfair treatment of women. I wish to reassure the nation’s citizens
that we will work for them with the same intensity with which we have worked in wrestling. We support all women who are left powerless. I could have given up wrestling at Jantar Mantar (during the protest) if I had wanted to, but I made it to the Olympic final. But God had other plans.
He has now given me an opportunity to serve the people of my country,” she said. Mr Punia said the Congress supported the wrestlers without asking them, while BJP MPs ignored letters seeking their support. “We are paying the price for raising our voice in support of the daughters of the country… We will continue to work for the people of the country and strengthen the Congress party as well as India,” he said.
Everyone was happy when Vinesh Phogat reached the final, but some people also celebrated when she was disqualified. Though no official announcement has been made yet, Ms Phogat is expected to contest the Haryana Assembly elections from the Julana constituency on a Jannayak Janata Party ticket, while Mr Punia may be fielded from the Badli seat.
Resignation from Railways
Ms. Phogat resigned from her position as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at Northern Railways, citing personal reasons, just hours before she joined the Congress.
The wrestler wrote on Twitter, sharing a photo of her letter of resignation, saying, “Working for Indian Railways has been an amazing and fulfilling experience for me.
At this juncture of my life, I have decided to disassociate myself from my service in Railways and have submitted my resignation to the competent authorities of Indian Railways. I will always be grateful to the Indian Railways family for this opportunity given to me by the Railways in serving the nation.
Ms Phogat’s popularity shot up further recently when she was disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit before the final bout in the 50kg freestyle wrestling event and missed out on at least a silver medal. The courage shown by the wrestler in defeating reigning gold medallist Yui Susaki of Japan and entering the finals earned her praise, while her eventual disqualification broke crores of hearts.
Supporting farmers
Ms Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling after being disqualified and all eyes were on her next steps. Last week, she was seen in a rally at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border. and extended her support to the farmers protesting for a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops and said she stands with them as their daughter.
“Today your movement has completed 200 days. I pray to God that you get what you have come here for – your rights, justice…your daughter stands with you. I also urge the government…we are also citizens of this country, if we raise our voice it is not political every time…you should listen to them…what they are demanding is not illegal,” she had said.
