Three weeks after her Olympic dreams were dashed due to a disqualification, Vinesh Phogat, was honored with a gold medal by the Sarv Khap Panchayat in Rohtak on Sunday. The award ceremony, coinciding with her 30th birthday, marked a significant moment as Vinesh became the first-ever recipient of this prestigious honour.
The Sarvkhap Panchayat, known for its influence in Haryana, organized a grand ceremony on Sunday to celebrate Vinesh’s achievements and resilience. The event, held in Rohtak, was attended by representatives from various Khap
During the ceremony, Vinesh expressed her heartfelt gratitude. “I am very happy today that my family and the people of the state are standing by me. Seeing this, it feels like my battle has not ended yet, but has just begun,” she said, her words resonating with the large gathering of supporters.
However, when asked about her plans to return to wrestling, Vinesh remained tight-lipped, stating, “Whether there was a conspiracy against me or injustice, everything will be revealed when the time is right.” This comment has only added to the growing intrigue surrounding her recent disqualification from the Paris Olympics, which was reportedly due to being just 100 grams overweight.
Vinesh, who played a leading role in the wrestlers’ protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, recently fueled speculation about a possible political future. Her meeting with Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda at his New Delhi residence on Friday has only intensified these rumors. “My family and all the people of the state are standing by me. Seeing this, it feels like my battle has not ended yet, but has just begun”, she added.
In addition to the recognition from her community, Vinesh Phogat has also become a focal point in Haryana’s political circles. Since her disqualification, there has been a growing chorus among Congress leaders advocating for her nomination to the Rajya Sabha, citing the precedent set by other sports personalities who have transitioned to politics.
The decision to honor Vinesh with this gold medal of 50gms was made in a meeting held on August 20 at Rohtak’s Nandal Bhawan, with leaders from various Khaps, including those from Jhajjar, Sonipat, Panipat, Jind, and Kaithal.
