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When Vinesh Phogat’s Paris Marvel Made Trolls To Cheerleaders

The people who once mocked Phogat have risen out of their hypocrisy to celebrate the 2022 World Championships bronze medallist who became the first-ever Indian woman wrestler to make it to an Olympics final. 

Vinesh Phogat Edited by
When Vinesh Phogat’s Paris Marvel Made Trolls To Cheerleaders

When Vinesh Phogat’s Paris Marvel Made Trolls To Cheerleaders

Back in January 2023, top wrestlers in India, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, accused the former World Federation India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan, of sexual harassment, stalking, and intimidation against female wrestlers. Massive protests were held at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. After the inaction of the central government against the BJP MP, the Supreme Court intervened, and FIRs were filed under the POCSO Act.

Even international bodies including the United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), condemned the manhandling and arrest of the wrestlers.

Read Also: Vinesh Phogat Scripts History In Paris 2024; Becomes First Indian Woman Wrestler To Enter Olympics Final

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. Several political leaders to the general public discredited the wrestlers’ trauma and pain.

Although Bhushan was suspended, his close friend Sanjay Singh was elected as the new WFI chief amid protests.

Photos of Phogat and Malik being dragged by the police on the streets of Delhi in May 2023 surfaced. Those who are always quick to post a congratulatory tweet every time India won a medal, remained silent when the same people who brought the accolades to the country were humiliated and denied justice.

And now, the same people who once mocked Phogat, maligning her identity, rose out of their hypocrisy and congratulated the 2022 World Championships bronze medallist who became the first-ever Indian woman wrestler to make it to an Olympics final.

A right-wing X handle celebrated her victory, “silver confirmed, go for gold queen.” Others quickly pointed out the handle’s previous posts which labelled Phogat’s protests as “propaganda.”

And one more.

Another right-wing handle by the name Mr Sinha wrote, “Silver is confirmed but she will win Gold for sure…. What a comeback.” Netizens pointed out the multiple posts of Mr Sinha where he wished Phogat “was more interested in her game, instead of protesting for political reasons” and mocked the wrestlers for returning their medals in protest instead of their salaries and prize money.

Lok Sabha MP and BJP leader Anurag Thakur celebrated Phogat’s “phenomenal” victory. “This historic victory in the Women’s Freestyle 50kg Wrestling semi-finals in Paris Olympics 2024 has assured her a spot on the podium, a first for any female wrestler from India. Congratulations & all the best for the final match,” he wrote.

Read Also: As Vinesh Phogat Marks Historic Win, X Remembers Her Struggles

The internet never forgets. Many highlighted Phogat’s accusations against Thakur for trying to supress the matter and appearing to be not interested in listening to her concerns as “he was busy on his when phone when I (Phogat) was talking to him.”

Amid all this, an old X post of the wrestling champion has surfaced after her epic win against Lopez Guzman of Cuba. “Dear haters, I have so much more for you to be mad at. Just be patient.”

Topics
olympics wrestling Paris 2024 Paris Olympics 2024 Vinesh Phogat vinesh phogat wrestler

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