Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic dream and India’s chance at gold have been dramatically dashed after she was disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final for being just 100 grams over the weight threshold. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has called for privacy and urged the public to focus on the ongoing events, but social media is ablaze with heated debates.

“It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time,” the statement by the Indian Olympic Association read.

Phogat was on the verge of making history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. She was assured of a silver medal and was going for gold against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt.

Phogat’s family has accused the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its coaches of conspiring against her. Rajpal Rathi, her father-in-law, claimed that the disqualification is a conspiracy by those in power.

The controversy centres on why such a minor weight discrepancy led to her disqualification, igniting widespread discussion online.

In 2023, Vinesh Phogat, along with Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, led a high-profile protest against former wrestling body chief and a key BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing female wrestlers. The protest led to a case being filed against Singh, who subsequently resigned as the Wrestling Federation of India chief. The BJP didn’t field him in the Lok Sabha elections. However, his son Karan Bhushan Singh, also accused of sexual assault, fought in place of him and won from Kaiserganj, the family’s traditional seat.

Political commentator Swati Chaturvedi wrote on X, “Serious questions need to be asked of PT Usha, the entire official entourage accompanying Indian athletes to Paris the sports science managers & India’s IOC member Mrs Nita Ambani in the Phogat medal fiasco. Did they act at all? Or conspiracy against the fiery rebel wrestler who had a point to prove.”

2008 Beijing medallist and BJP leader Vijender Singh also said that Phogat was a victim of a conspiracy against her and other wrestlers from India. He said that she should have got the chance to reduce the extra weight.

“It’s a huge conspiracy against India and Indian wrestlers. The way she has performed is worth appreciating. Maybe some people couldn’t digest the happiness. We can reduce five to six kgs in one night, so what’s the problem with 100 grams. I feel that someone had some problems and so the step to disqualify was taken. She should have got a chance to reduce the 100 grams,” Singh told India Today.

“Having participated in the Olympics, I have never seen anything like this,” he added.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded a probe into the “technical reasons” for her disqualification.

“There should be a thorough investigation into the technical reasons behind Vinesh Phogat not being able to take part in the final and the truth and the real reason behind it should come to the fore,” Yadav said in a post in Hindi on X.

Congress MP and former Haryana minister Randeep Singh Surjewala called it a black day in sports history of India.

“140 crore Indians are shocked,This is a “black day” in sports history. This is a huge hate conspiracy.  First, the Wrestling Association President, BJP MP of that time and Modi Ji’s favourite, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, tortured the country’s world champion daughter with physical and mental torture. Then the BJP people got this daughter of the country dragged by the police on the streets of Jantar Mantar. Then the Modi government filed an FIR against this daughter. Vinesh Phogat @Phogat_Vinesh still never lost courage, bravery and patience. In Paris Olympics, she defeated the world’s undefeated wrestler Yui Susaki and two other champion wrestlers and raised the national flag. But this did not please the conspirators either,’ Surjewala wrote on X.

He further asked some direct questions.

“Who is the one who could not digest Vinesh Phogat’s victory? Who stabbed the daughter of Haryana and the country in the back? Who misused power? Whose face was this an attempt to save? But know that every child of Haryana and the country is with him, for us he is an Olympic gold medal winner. The conspiracy’s labyrinth will surely break. Faces will definitely be exposed,” the Congress leader said.

Congress MP Balwant Wankhede said, “The entire country knows she was protesting at Jantar Mantar… she did not get justice and now if she wins, they would have had to honour her which some people might not have liked.”

Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker expressed disappointment over her disqualification and wrote on X, “Who believes this 100 grams over weight story?”

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh called for the boycott of the Olympics, calling the disqualification an “insult” not just to the 29-year-old but also to the country.

“This is not an insult to Vinesh but to the country. Vinesh Phogat was going to create history in the whole world, declaring her 100 grams overweight and disqualifying her was a grave injustice. The whole country stands with Vinesh, the Indian government should intervene immediately, if this is not accepted, then boycott the Olympics,” he said on X.

“There has to be something more to it, 100 grams,” an X user remarked and added, “Can’t accept this. Something fishy.”

“What Organizers were doing when she got selected and won 3 Matches in a Day ? India Should Boycott Olympics. Lets see what Vishwa Guru will do now to undo this decision! Disappointed,” said another user.

According to reports, Vinesh Phogat had undergone surgery for a ligament tear in August 2023 and gained weight during recovery. Since then she had worked hard to shed the pounds necessary to compete in the 50kg category. Despite initial advice to compete in the 53kg category, Phogat managed to reduce her weight but was disqualified for being 150 grams over the limit at the weigh-in.

With Phogat’s disqualification, no silver medal will be awarded, and according to United World Wrestling (UWW) regulations, she will be placed last. After gaining 2 kg post-semi-final, she had spent the night jogging, skipping, and cycling to meet the weight limit. However, she was found 150 grams overweight during the weigh-in.

Phogat was hospitalised in Paris due to dehydration, moments after the devastating news.