‘Only their hearts aren’t bleeding...’: VP Dhankhar as Opposition walks out over Vinesh Phogat’s Paris Olympics exit

The Opposition parties on Thursday staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha during the monsoon session of Parliament after the Chair refused them permission to discuss Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024.

Also Read: Vinesh Phogat Disqualified LIVE: ‘Vinesh aap hari nahi haraya gya hai,’ says Bajrang Punia after Phogat quits wrestling

India's medal prospects in wrestling suffered a significant setback as Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the 50 kg women's wrestling event for exceeding the weight limit. Vinesh was slated to compete against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States in the gold medal match scheduled for August 7.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “They (the Opposition) think they are the only ones whose hearts are bleeding. The entire nation is in pain because of the girl. Everyone is sharing the situation, but to monetise it, politicise it, is the greatest disrespect to the girl. That girl has a long way to go.”

Earlier, speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Vinesh Phogat's disqualification, Union Minister JP Nadda said the whole country is standing with the wrestler. “The PM called her ‘champion of champions’ yesterday, and the PM’s voice is the voice of 140 crore people. Unfortunately, we are dividing this between the ruling side and the Opposition. Unfortunately, the Opposition has no solid issue they want to discuss for which the ruling party is ready… I want to assure you that the government of India, the sports ministry, and the IOC tried redressal on all platforms,” Nadda said.

Also Read: Vinesh Phogat retires from wrestling after disqualification from Paris Olympics: 10 things to know

Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday following her disqualification in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling final at the Paris Olympics. She shared her decision in an emotional post on X on Thursday morning.

Also Read: Vinesh Phogat should take the blame for getting disqualified, says Saina Nehwal: ‘She is not playing her first Olympics’

“Maa kushti (wrestling) won against me; I lost. Forgive me; your dream and my courage have been broken. I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all for forgiveness,” Phogat said in her post.

Reacting to Phogat's disqualification, Congress MP Kumari Selja told ANI, “We all can understand her pain and despair. The entire nation would like to know what happened to her and what her entire team was doing. It must be asked if her team has let her down or who let her down. The entire country is with her.”

Furthermore, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said, “Yesterday I went to (Vinesh) Phogat's house. Sadly, an Olympic gold medal was taken away. Her coach and uncle told me that her hair could have been cut. It was a matter of 100 grams; her hair could have been cut. I don't know what our coach and physiotherapist are doing there. It is not her fault.”

Dronacharya awardee coach Mahavir Phogat suggested that Vinesh Phogat's decision to retire might have been made impulsively, indicating that those close to her would support and encourage her to aim for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"It is true, people lose heart. When she will come, we (I, Bajrang, Gita) will all sit and talk. We will take a decision and convey it. In the heat of the moment, people take such decisions but after some time, we will decide on it,” Mahavir told PTI Videos.

Also Read: ‘Maa kushti jeet gai, main haar gai’: Vinesh Phogat quits wrestling after disqualification at Olympics

Geeta Phogat, the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, said it was "very sad" to see the way Vinesh retired from the sport.

"Sister Vinesh, we will always be we will always be indebted to you for what you have done for the country. Your passion and struggle will be remembered for centuries,” she wrote on 'X'.

“You are a role model for all girls. You saying goodbye to wrestling like this is very sad for the whole family and the whole country.”

(With inputs from agencies)