The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has called for the Indian government to honor ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat with either the Bharat Ratna or a President-nominated Rajya Sabha seat. This demand follows Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris 2024 Olympics due to being 100 grams overweight just hours before her final in the 50 kg weight class. The disqualification prevented her from winning a gold medal despite coming close to achieving the feat.
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TMC leaders have praised Vinesh Phogat for her extraordinary achievements and the struggles she has faced. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee expressed the party’s sentiment on social media, urging both the government and opposition to reach a consensus on awarding Vinesh Phogat the Bharat Ratna or a Rajya Sabha seat. “No medal can fully reflect her true mettle,” Banerjee wrote, acknowledging Vinesh Phogat’s significant contribution to Indian sports.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu have both expressed their sorrow over Vinesh Phogat’s setback, highlighting her status as a champion and a source of national pride for India’s 1.4 billion people.
The TMC also shared a video of Vinesh Phogat’s involvement in protests against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faced accusations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers. The party’s social media posts celebrated Vinesh Phogat’s perseverance and courage, reinforcing their support for the wrestler.
