New Delhi: As Vinesh Phogat gears up for the gold medal match at the Olympics, her victory in the semi-finals has not only brought India closer to a medal but has also sparked renewed political debate. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has taken this moment to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking if he will call and apologize to Phogat for the atrocious manner in which the Delhi Police mishandled her during the wrestlers protest.Will the non-biological PM call herIn a pointed post on social media platform X, Ramesh wrote, “Vinesh Phogat is assured of a silver or a gold medal at Paris. Will the non-biological PM call her To congratulate her of course but more importantly to apologise for the atrocious manner in which the Delhi Police misbehaved with her during the women wrestlers protest”विनेश फोगाट का पेरिस ओलंपिक में सिल्वर या गोल्ड मेडल पक्का है। क्या नॉन-बायोलॉजिकल प्रधानमंत्री उन्हें कॉल करेंगे निश्चित रूप से उन्हें बधाई देने के लिए, लेकिन इससे भी महत्वपूर्ण यह है कि उस शर्मानाक घटना के लिए माफ़ी मांगने के लिए जब महिला पहलवानों के विरोध प्रदर्शन के दौरान…— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 6, 2024Phogat spearheaded the wrestlers protestThis inquiry refers to the disturbing events of 2023, when top Indian wrestlers, including Phogat, launched protests against alleged sexual harassment and intimidation by the then-Wrestlers Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The protests saw wrestlers sit on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and even attempt to throw their medals into the Ganges, actions that were met with police intervention and widespread condemnation from opposition leaders.Singhs dictatorial leadershipThe case against Singh is currently in the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi. The BJP has been criticized for its lack of action despite prominent wrestlers such as Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya raising concerns about Singhs “dictatorial” leadership. Several high-profile wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, demanded action against Singh during prolonged protests at Delhis Jantar Mantar.Police action on protesting wrestlersIt is pertinent to mention that the Delhi Police jailed Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and other protesting wrestlers for marching towards the new Parliament building on the day of its inauguration. To register their protest, the wrestlers traveled to Haridwar to throw their medals and trophies into the Ganges but were stopped by farmers leader Naresh Tikait.
