‘Showcases His Mentality': Vinesh Phogat Reacts To Brij Bhushan's 'God Punished You' Remark Over Her Olympic Setback

Wrestler and Congress leader Vinesh Phogat on Sunday reacted to former Wrestler Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh’s comments over the former’s Paris Olympics disqualification, and said that such comments showcase his mentality.

“Comments made by Brijbhushan Singh showcase his mentality,” Phogat, who reached Haryana’s Julana assembly constituency on Sunday from where she would contest the election, said to News 18.

While addressing a gathering in Khera Bakhta area, the wrestler-turned politician said that she would remain thankful for the love and respect she is receiving. Phogat further said that she expects to win each battle with the blessings of people as kicks off her campaign for the upcoming assembly election.

“I’m receiving a warm welcome in every part of the country. I will always be thankful to God for the love and respect I’ve been receiving. I’ve forgotten the pain that I had to go through because of the love and respect that I’ve received from you. Therefore, I will remain thankful if I’m able to reduce your sufferings. The land of Jind has been historic, and people here are very brave,” she said.

While thanking the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for supporting her during the wrestlers’ protest. Phogat said that the Congress supported us and gave us the courage that that we should not lose hope and we should answer these people through wrestling.

“We will inaugurate our office the day after tomorrow. The country has given me a lot. Whatever I am today is because of wrestling. I want to thank the Congress party a lot, not only because they gave me the ticket but when we were sitting on the road, Priyanka Gandhi came with us. At that time we felt that we should leave our country but she (Priyanka Gandhi) said that we should not lose courage and we should answer these people through wrestling…” she added.

Phogat was accorded a warm welcome when she reached Julana as her supporters, including elderly people and women and members of various ‘Khaps’, greeted her with garlands and gave their blessings.

‘God Punished You…’: Brij Bhushan’s ‘Cheating’ Dig At Vinesh

The BJP leader, against whom the wrestlers levelled severe allegations of sexual harassment, accused Phogat of ‘cheating’ to attend the games and added that she could not win the tournament as the ‘god punished her.’

“I want to ask Vinesh Phogat whether a player can give trials in 2 weight categories in a day. Can the trials be stopped for 5 hours after the weigh-in?… You did not win the wrestling, you went there by cheating. God has punished you for the same,” the former WFI President said.

Stepping up the offensive, the BJP leader alleged that Bajrang Punia participated in the Asian Games without completing the trials.

“Haryana is the crown of India in the field of sports. And they stopped the wrestling activities for almost 2.5 years. Is it not true that Bajrang went to the Asian Games without trials? I want to ask those who are experts in wrestling,” Bhushan said.

He said that he is not guilty of ‘disrespecting daughters’ and added, “If anyone is guilty of disrespecting daughters, it is Bajrang and Vinesh. And the one who wrote the script, Bhupinder Hooda, is responsible for that”.

Earlier, the former BJP MP said Phogat and Punia were used as “pawns” in a “conspiracy” to take control of the wrestling federation and attack the BJP. He alleged that former the Hooda family was behind a plot against him as he had defeated Deepender in the 2012 elections for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

BJP’s warning to Brij Bhushan

The BJP has asked the former lawmaker to refrain from making remarks against the two Olympians and speaking to the media about them.

Within days of joining the Congress, Phogat and Punia resigned as railway employees. According to a top source from the Indian Railways, the duo asked for an exemption from serving the mandatory three-month notice period. The source said it is likely that Phogat’s exit formalities may be completed in a day or two, and she can get the clearance required to file her nomination.

Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who were at the forefront of the wrestlers’ protest against then WFI chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, entered the political arena on Friday by joining the Congress.

Polling in Haryana will take place on October 5 while the counting of votes for the elections to the 90-member assembly will take place on October 8.