Khaps in Haryana seek justice, Bharat Ratna for Vinesh Phogat

Several khap panchayats in Haryana voiced their support of wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified at the Paris Olympics for being 100 grams over the weight limit, seeking justice for the grappler and demanded the Bharat Ratna for her.

The khaps (caste-based councils), which held the ‘Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat’ at Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri, also asked the wrestler to reconsider decision to retire from wrestling.

The 29-year-old was disqualified for being 100gms overweight ahead of her women’s 50kg gold medal bout on August 7. Crestfallen after being disqualified, the world championships bronze-medallist announced her retirement on social media.

Phogat has filed an appeal against her disqualification. The ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will announce their decision by August 13.

Speaking to reporters after the mahapanchayat, Sombir Sangwan, who heads the Sangwan Khap, said the entire incident should be probed by a sitting Supreme Court judge.

Sangwan sought to know how her weight increased suddenly. “Several persons accompanied her and it was their responsibility that her weight should not have increased,” he said.

“Considering her achievements, she should get the Bharat Ratna,” said Sangwan while reading out the khaps’ demands which were decided in the mahapanchayat.

He also said Phogat should get all facilities what a gold medal winner at the Olympics gets.

Dadri MLA Sangwan said they have appealed to the wrestler to continue playing her sport.

Replying to a question on whether Phogat should enter politics, he said it depends upon her.

“She has achieved a position which is above a minister or MLA but if she takes a decision to enter politics then khaps will support her,” he said.

The khaps also announced that they would honour her by organising a function.