“In Difficult Times, We Discover Who Truly Stands By Us”: Vinesh Phogat On Joining Congress (screen grab-X/INCIndia)

Ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined Congress today. Before joining the party, both of them met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in the national capital.

Expressing her gratitude to the media and everyone who supported her in her wrestling journey so far, Phogat also thanked the Congress for standing with them when times were bad. Recounting her ordeal during the wrestler’s protest when the police manhandled the protestors, the three-time Olympian said that except the BJP, every party in the country stood with the wrestlers and understood their pain.

Read Also: Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia Join Congress

She expressed her pride in standing with a party that fights against the injustice faced by women from “sadak se le ke sansad tak.” Assuring citizens of working for the public, especially women who consider themselves alone and helpless, Phogat said, “During my wrestling career, I have tried my best to inspire little girls and women. If I wanted to, I would have quit my wrestling career in Jantar Mantar, and many believed so because the BJP IT cell tried their best to prove that we were finished, we were doing politics.”

“They (BJP) said I didn’t want to play national championship, I did. They said I didn’t want to give trials, I did. They said I didn’t want to go to the Olympics, I went to Olympics and reached the finals. Unfortunately, God had something else in store. He has now given me a chance to serve the people of my country,” the Indian wrestler said.

Read Also: Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia Got Show Cause Notices For Photo With Rahul Gandhi: Congress

“We will not quit… We have played wholeheartedly and we will work the same way. We will remain among our people. We will try our best. To my sisters who think they are alone, I want to tell them that I will stand with you. The Congress party will stand with you just like they did for us,” added Phogat.

Prior to the official announcement, Phogat resigned from her position as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with Northern Railways. The Olympian is expected to contest from the Julana seat presently held by the Jannayak Janta Party’s Amarjeet Dhanda although no official confirmation has been made yet.

Earlier this year, both Punia and Phogat were at the forefront of a high-profile protest in Delhi, leading a group of women wrestlers in a fight against sexual harassment and systemic abuse within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). These protests were aimed specifically at BJP MP and WFI head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whom the wrestlers accused of sexual misconduct and intimidation. In May last year, photos of Phogat and Olympian wrestler Sakshi Malik being dragged by the police on the streets of Delhi surfaced.

Read Also: When The Country Was Sad, One IT Cell Was Celebrating: Bajrang Punia

While Phogat and other wrestlers received support from many across the world, there were far too many in their own country who accused her and others of staging a fake protest to malign the ruling government.

The Haryana assembly elections will be held on October 5 and counting of votes will take place on October 8.