Ace wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Friday joined the Congress just days before Haryana will vote to elect a new assembly.
Phogat and Punia were at the forefront of the movement which took place in 2023 against the alleged sexual assault and intimidation by former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
Earlier in the day, both the leaders met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge before joining the grand old party of the country.
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Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 6, 2024
Following the meeting, Congress posted on X: Chak De India, Chak De Haryana. Met the two talented Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia who made the country proud internationally at 10, Rajaji Marg. We are proud of you.
Speaking to reporters, Phogat said: I thank the Congress very much because it is only in bad times that we realise who is our own.
When we were being dragged on the road, all of you were with us except BJP. You were able to understand our pain and tears, she said.
She said she would stand in support of women in society.
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Congress (@INCIndia) September 6, 2024
I am proud that I am joining a party which fights against injustice faced by women. I am ready to work hard for the people of the country just like we devoted our life to wrestling, she said.
Ahead of joining the Congress, Phogat also resigned from Indian Railways.
On August 7, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, competing in the womens 50kg freestyle category in the Paris Olympics 2024, was disqualified just before her gold medal bout with the US Sarah Hildebrandt.
Phogat was given the reason that she weighed 100 grams more than the permissible limit of UWW.
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Congress (@INCIndia) September 6, 2024
Later in the day, the wrestler appealed against her disqualification at the CAS and sought a silver medal.
On August 8, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling after being upset with her disqualification.
The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on August 19 released a full report of the entire proceedings related to Phogats disqualification.
The CAS explained the terms and conditions of the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the detailed report.
The CAS, in its preliminary observations, also mentioned that this was a particularly difficult case.
The international body, however, noted that Vinesh Phogat was above the 50 kg limit for her wrestling category when she weighed in for the finals at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Haryana will vote to elect a new assembly on October 5.
The counting of votes will take place on October 8.
