Without doubt, Vinesh Phogat, the wrestler who was arbitrarily disqualified from the Paris Olympics, after she was poised to get a crucial medal for India, is the darling of the entire country. The Haryana grappler has conducted herself with unmatched dignity and grace and her statement after her return from France, has touched many hearts. As India’s first Olympic Gold Medal winner, Abhinav Bindra had mentioned, Vinesh may have not got the medal for her Cabinet, but she shall figure in many stories which would inspire future generations to aspire for bringing glory to the country.
The common perception is that Vinesh was wrongly denied her due, though the reality is that under the rules, as they exist, she was debarred from the games, for a violation which was difficult to overlook by the authorities. It is another matter that many unusual things have happened in the Olympics in the past and the United States, which is the leading country in track and field events, has forced the officials to take decisions which were ultimately in favour of their athletes. The controversy over the 100 metre sprint gold going to Carl Lewis, a champion sportsman after the disqualification of Canadian Ben Johnson on doping charges, continues to be the talking point of those who were at Seoul on that particular day in 1988. Over the years, there have been many unfair decisions in the boxing arena and many pugilists who performed well, were declared losers, leading to protests, which remained unheard.
The story of Vinesh Phogat, will be in the Olympic folklore so far as Indians are concerned, and the general perception is that more than the rules, she was the victim of dirty politics of the Wrestling Federation, since she along with some other wrestlers had agitated against the powerful Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing of sexual misconduct. The matter is in court and the final word on the issue is still not out. However, there is a very strong speculation that she could make a debut in the political arena, in the wake of Assembly elections in Haryana, and because of her immense popularity. The origin of these conjectures, are linked to the fact that even while she was in Paris awaiting the final verdict on her appeal, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, had spoken about a possible Rajya Sabha berth for her.
The current Haryana CM, Nayeb Singh Saini, also had assured that Vinesh would be treated at par with any sportsperson getting a Gold at the Olympics and would be accordingly honoured. Soon after she arrived in the national capital, Rohtak Lok Sabha MP, Deepender Singh Hooda was amongst thousands of people who had gone to receive her at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The TV grabs of her arrival with Deepender flanking her, gave enough fodder to the political class to assume that she may be headed for a new career.
Three days ago, Vinesh and her husband visited the Hooda household in New Delhi and were warmly received. Bhupinder Hooda was repeatedly asked whether Vinesh would be contesting the polls, and his reply was simple that the choice was hers. However, he added, that sportspersons were national assets and belonged to the country. Their joining politics was something they had to themselves decide. Although the speculation is very much there, on her part, Vinesh has not made any declaration about her entry into politics. Her numerous fans would want her to prepare for the next Olympics and get India honours on the sports field. The question remains whether the grappler, who had tweeted that she had decided to give up on wrestling, after her disqualification, revise her decision? In the past, sportspersons who have excelled on the field, have not been as exceptional while pursuing politics.
Sachin Tendulkar is an example and though he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, he has been reluctant to contribute to the deliberations. Similarly, PT Usha, the current Indian Olympic Association president and a legendary athlete in her heydays, finds herself at sea in Parliament. Indian Cricket Coach Gautam Gambhir was elected to the Lok Sabha from East Delhi, but failed to make a mark in the House in the manner in which he excelled as an Opener. Harbhajan Singh is a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, and similarly does not participate in the debates as much as he should. Aslam Sher Khan, the Hockey fullback, joined politics, but not many know about his contribution to the sports which helped India in major tournaments.
Olympic Silver Medalist Vijender Singh’s foray in politics has ended in disappointment and the same goes for another silver medalist, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. The short point is that if Vinesh Phogat has to join politics, she should weigh all the pros and cons and be mentally prepared to take the plunge. And in case, she chooses to get into the Haryana Assembly election fray, she should ideally contest as an independent with the major political parties not setting up any candidate against her, to acknowledge her contribution to the sports. That way, she would remain neutral and also supporters of both the Congress, BJP and other parties would be happy to back her in the future as well. The Centre could also consider nominating her in one of the vacant nominated seats in the Rajya Sabha. Whatever, she decides shall have to be respected, though the expectations from large number of Indians, that she should get us a medal from the next Olympics, would always be there.