Vinesh Phogat Row Sparks Parliament Walkout as Opposition Demands Discussion

INDIA bloc members today walked out from Rajya Sabha after they were not allowed to discuss the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics 2024.

The grappler was disqualified from the 50 kg women’s wrestling event for breaching the weight mark. Vinesh was scheduled to take on the United States’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the gold medal match on August 7.

After the listed papers were tabled, Leader of Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to raise the disqualification issue, questioning “who is behind” it. However, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar did not permit Kharge to speak on the matter. Shortly after, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien also attempted to raise some issues but was similarly denied by the Chair.

Chairman Dhankhar admonished O’Brien, saying, “You are shouting at the Chair. Your conduct is the ugliest in the House. I condemn your actions. Next time I will show you the door.” As tensions rose, Opposition leaders staged a walkout. Dhankhar further remarked that the Opposition believes they are “the only ones whose hearts are bleeding,” adding, “The entire nation is in pain… But to politicise it is the greatest disrespect to her (Ms Phogat).”

Phogat, who announced her retirement from wrestling today, had made history as the first Indian female wrestler to reach the final of the 50kg Olympic wrestling category by winning three matches on Tuesday. The 29-year-old, who usually competes in the 53 kg category, had moved down to the 50 kg weight class for the Paris Olympic Games.

Earlier on Tuesday, members of the INDIA bloc had walked out of the Lok Sabha after expressing dissatisfaction with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s statement on Phogat. Some opposition leaders criticized Mandaviya for focusing on the financial assistance provided to Phogat for her Olympic preparations.