Indian female wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been in the news lately. Before the final wrestling match at the Paris Olympics, she was disqualified due to a 100-gram weight increase, despite winning three matches earlier. Upon returning to India, she received a grand welcome.
On Friday, Vinesh met with Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, sparking rumors that she might join Congress. Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda responded to these speculations.
“This is a hypothetical question”
When asked if Vinesh Phogat is joining Congress, Hooda said, “This is a hypothetical question. Athletes don’t belong to one party; they belong to the entire country. If someone joins our party, we will welcome them. It’s up to them whether they want to join or not. Today, she is our national athlete, and she hasn’t received the justice and respect she deserves. Vinesh Phogat should be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.”
Hooda also reiterated his demand that Vinesh Phogat should be given the same honor as a gold medalist. He said, “I had earlier said that Vinesh should be given the same respect as a gold medalist. She didn’t get that. The government announced a silver medal honor for her.”
Hooda further mentioned, “…Just as Sachin Tendulkar was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, Vinesh Phogat should also be nominated because she has faced injustice and hasn’t received the recognition she deserves.”
It’s worth noting that Vinesh Phogat met with Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, along with his family, at their residence in Delhi on Friday.
