Olympian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia enter politics, join Congress ahead of Haryana polls

India’s Olympian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Friday joined the key opposition party Congress just days before the north Indian state of Haryana votes to elect a new assembly.

Phogat and Punia were at the forefront of the 2023 athletes’ protest in New Delhi against the alleged sexual assault/harassment charges against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh.

Earlier in the day, both the leaders met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge before joining the grand old party of the country.

Following the meeting, Congress posted on X: “Chak De India, Chak De Haryana. Met the two talented Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia who made the country proud internationally at10, Rajaji Marg. We are proud of you.”

Speaking to reporters, Phogat said: “I thank the Congress very much because it is only in bad times that we realise who is our own.”

“When we were being dragged on the road, all of you were with us except BJP. You were able to understand our pain and tears,” she said.

She said she would stand in support of women in society.

“I am proud that I am joining a party which fights against injustice faced by women. I am ready to work hard for the people of the country just like we devoted our life to wrestling,” she said.

Ahead of joining the Congress, Phogat also resigned from Indian Railways.

Phogat and Olympics disqualification episode

On August 7, Vinesh Phogat, competing in the women’s 50kg freestyle category in the Paris Olympics 2024, was disqualified just before her gold medal bout with the US’ Sarah Hildebrandt.

Phogat was given the reason that she weighed 100 grams more than the permissible limit of UWW.

Later in the day, the wrestler appealed against her disqualification at the CAS and sought a silver medal.

On August 8, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling after being upset with her disqualification.

The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on August 19 released a full report of the entire proceedings related to Phogat’s disqualification.

The CAS explained the terms and conditions of the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the detailed report.

The international body noted that Vinesh Phogat was above the 50 kg limit for her wrestling category when she weighed in for the finals at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Haryana will vote to elect a new assembly on October 5.

The counting of votes will take place on October 8.