Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat has hit out at trolls on social media for reportedly asking for a cash reward of Rs 4 crore from the Haryana government for her achievements at the Paris Olympics. The state government had assured Phogat of benefits equivalent to that of a silver medallist despite the wrestler getting disqualified in dramatic fashion.
Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics gold medal bout for being 100 grams overweight and her subsequent attempts at overturning the decision didn’t change the outcome.
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The Haryana government had presented Phogat with three options under its sports policy: a Rs 4 crore cash prize, an Outstanding Sportsperson job under Group ‘A’, or a Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran plot.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had announced the cabinet’s decision to offer Phogat – who won at the Haryana Assembly Elections from Julana – benefits equivalent to an Olympic silver medallist under the state’s sports policy. During the Haryana Assembly’s Budget Session in March, Phogat had reminded Saini of his promise.
Following plenty of criticism going Phogat’s way for seeking cash rewards, the wrestler didn’t hold back on social media.
“Those who tweet for Rs 2 and share knowledge for free… listen carefully! For your information, let me tell you – till now, I have rejected offers worth crores. From soft drinks to online gaming,” she wrote on X.
“But I never compromised on my principles. Whatever I have achieved, I have done it with honest hard work and the blessings of my loved ones – and I am proud of that.”
“And as far as ‘asking’ goes…I am the daughter of that land where self-respect is dissolved in mother’s milk. I have learnt from my ancestors that rights are not snatched, they are won. When there is a need, one also knows how to call loved ones, And when someone close to us is in trouble, we also know how to stand like a wall with them.”
“So, zip it. Sit in the corner and do what you’re best at — cry, cry, cry… and just cry! Because we are not going anywhere. We’re here to stay, grounded, unshaken, and standing tall with our own spine and self-respect!” added the wrestler.
“It is not about money, it is about respect. Many people from across the state tell me that I must have received the cash award,” Phogat had said during the session.
The Chief Minister acknowledged Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics was due to a procedural decision. He referred to her as “Haryana’s pride” and assured that her honor would not be diminished.
