The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, had to respond to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday regarding the disqualification of famous Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics.
The minister explained the role of the government and told the House that all support and training for the Games had been provided to Vinesh.
Unconvinced by his statement, the Opposition staged a walkout from Parliament.
Mandaviya explained, "Vinesh Phogat was out of the Paris 2024 Olympics because she missed the category limit by 100 grams. She was in the 50 kg category and her weight had to be exactly 50 kg."
He said that he was doing according to the rules laid down by United World Wrestling (UWW) and added, "Wrestlers' weights are checked every morning under UWW rules. Article 11 of those rules says if any wrestler does not attend the weigh-in or does not meet the weight criteria, he shall be disqualified and ranked last."
He added that the weigh-in for the women's wrestling 50 kg category had taken place on August 7 from 7:15 A.M. to 7:30 A.M. Paris time. "Vinesh's weight was recorded at 50.1 kg, ruling her out of competition," he said.
He further said that the IOA has strongly opposed the decision before the International Olympic Committee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to PT Usha, president of the IOA, who is in Paris, and urged her to take immediate steps.
He pointed to the recent performances of Vinesh saying, "On August 6, Vinesh has won three straight matches, the first Indian woman to enter the Olympic finals. In the semi-finals, she beat Cuba's Guzman Lopez Yusneylis; in the quarter-finals, Ukraine's Livach Oksana; and world champion Japanese wrestler Susaki Yui 3-2 in the pre-quarterfinals. She was due to face American wrestler Sarah Ann Hildebrandt on August 7."
On government support, Mandaviya said, "The Indian government has provided full support to Vinesh Phogat, including personal staff in the form of renowned Hungarian coach Woller Akos and physio Ashwini Jiwan Patil. Financial assistance of Rs 17,45,775 was sanctioned for her training and support staff."
Unsatisfied with Mandaviya's speech, Opposition members pointed out how the government handled past issues raised by wrestlers.
It was torn into shreds by the Opposition, prompting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to intervene and disallow any further debate as the Opposition criticised it. Thereafter, members of Congress, SP, Trinamool, and other parties staged a walkout from Parliament.
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