From Protest to Disqualification: Vinesh Phogat’s Tumultuous Journey

A shocking turn of events unfolded at the Paris Olympics when Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle competition just hours before her gold medal match. According to the rules of United World Wrestling (UWW), wrestlers who fail to meet the weight requirements before competition are automatically disqualified and placed last.

Phogat had been at the forefront of a prolonged protest against former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh, who faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers. In January of the previous year, a group of 30 wrestlers, including Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Anshu Malik, and Bajrang Punia, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding action against Singh, who was subsequently removed as the wrestling federation chief. The BJP denied Singh a ticket in the 2024 Lok Sabha election but instead nominated his son, Karan Bhushan Singh.

The wrestlers’ demands included Singh’s removal from the government, the dissolution of the wrestling federation, and the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) responded by establishing a committee led by MC Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt. Following a meeting with then-sports minister Anurag Thakur, who promised Brij Bhushan’s removal pending investigation, the wrestlers temporarily suspended their protest.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) vehemently denied all allegations but was ordered to halt its activities by the sports ministry. An oversight committee headed by Mary Kom was formed to investigate the matter, but the wrestlers expressed dissatisfaction with the committee’s composition. As progress stalled, the protests resumed.

Despite the oversight committee’s report and the announcement of WFI elections, the wrestlers’ agitation continued. A tense situation escalated on May 3 when wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, claimed to have been assaulted and manhandled by Delhi Police personnel. The police, however, denied using force. The protest site was subsequently sealed off, and reports emerged of a female journalist being mistreated.