'That Is Her Personal Opinion': Vinesh Phogat Counters Sakshi Malik After She Calls Her 'Selfish'

Congress MLA and former wrestler Vinesh Phogat has expressed her disagreement with Sakshi Malik's claims that she and Bajrang Punia's decision to accept exemption from the Asian Games trials last year weakened their protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. 

Vinesh Phogat counters Sakshi Malik's claims

Sakshi Malik had mentioned in her book that their decision made their movement seem “selfish”. However, Vinesh Phogat countered that their fight for justice will continue, stating that “unless I am weak, the fight cannot be weak”. 

She further emphasized that they are ready to face obstacles and continue their fight against Brij Bhushan Singh. The ad-hoc committee had exempted Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat from the 2023 Asian Games trials, but Sakshi Malik decided not to seek the exemption. The case against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is still being heard in a Delhi court.

Vinesh, who was elected from Julana constituency in the Haryana Assembly elections earlier this month, said their fight will continue "till we are alive".

"When we were playing, the responsibility of crores of people of the country was on us. Today I am elected (as MLA) from Congress party ... even today the whole nation is looking at us," she said.

"But we can assure you that the fight we fought on the streets and up to Olympics is for all daughters and sisters and for all women who know how to fight and want to fight. Farmers, youth and athletes are the foundation of our country. We will fight till we are alive." The protest, which went for months, ended after the wrestlers' march towards the new Parliament Building was halted by the Police on May 28, 2023.

Both Vinesh and Bajrang joined the Congress party before the Haryana assembly elections earlier this month. The former contested and won from the Julana constituency, while the latter was made head of the party's national farmers' unit.

Before the political plunge, Vinesh endured a heartbreaking sporting low when she was disqualified from the 50kg category final in Paris Olympics for being 100gm overweight. 

(With PTI inputs)