Vinesh Phogat exclusive: Those happy over my Olympic setback should be tried for sedition

Speaking to India Today TV after conducting her maiden political rally in Julana, Vinesh Phogat responded to a recent statement by former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who had said she could not win an Olympic medal because "God punished her".

In Short

• Vinesh Phogat conducts maiden political rally in Julana
• Responds to statements by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Anil Vij
• Phogat thanks Congress leadership for their support

Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat has said those who were happy over her loss in the Paris Olympics should be tried for "sedition" as they have disrespected the nation.

Vinesh Phogat joined the Congress on August 6 and was named the party's candidate from Julana constituency for the Haryana Assembly election.

Speaking to India Today TV after conducting her maiden political rally in Julana on Sunday, Phogat responded to recent statements by former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former Haryana minister Anil Vij against her.

"We have been hearing such statements (by BJP leaders) for the last 1.5 years. This shows their mentality. If they are saying that they are happy that I didn't win at Olympics, they should be tried for sedition. That medal didn't belong to me but to the whole nation. They have disrespected the nation," she said.

Vinesh Phogat's statement came after Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former Wrestling Federation of India chief who was accused of sexual harassment by women wrestlers, accused Phogat of cheating and said she could not win a medal because "God punished her".

In the recently held Paris Olympics, Vinesh Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final. However, she was disqualified after being found overweight by about 100 grams in her 50-kilogram category weigh-in.

Reacting to Anil Vij's statement who called her Congress ki beti (Congress's daughter), Phogat said, "I am the nation's daughter and will always remain one."

The Congress candidate from Julana seat further charged the BJP for not reaching out to her and shwo solidarity.

"When I returned to India from Paris, a huge roadshow took place in my welcome. No one from the BJP, be it the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister or any other leader, came to welcome me and show support. They just put statements on social media that we gave this much (monetary rewards) to me but everyone knows that they are doing it for votes," she said.

The Olympian also thanked the Congress leadership for their support. "I am thankful to the Congress leadership, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and my elder brother Deepender Hooda, who has always guided us. I am grateful to be a part of a party which stood with us in our bad times," she said.

When asked about fellow wrestler Sakshee Malikkh's statement on her entry into politics, Vinesh Phogat said, "This was not only Sakshee Malikkh's fight, but of every woman, female sportsperson who suffers exploitation. This fight isn't over. We are fighting this in court. The BJP is using money and musle to tamper investigation.

Sakshee Malikkh had said that Vinesh and Bajrang's decision to join politics was their "personal decision" and that the women wrestlers' agitation against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh "shouldn't be given a different shape".

"What Sakshee said is true (about personal decision). But we are together and we will fight till the end," Phogat said.

Vinesh Phogat said her core election promises would be providing a sports stadium, infrastructure development and working towards women's safety.