Vinesh Phogat joins farmers' protest, answers questions on political future
Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat joined the farmers' protest at the Shambhu border on its 200th day, Saturday. The farmers have been camping there since February 13, demanding a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP). When asked about her potential political career with the Congress in Haryana, Phogat said the focus should be on the farmers instead. "The focus shouldn't be on me, but on the farming community," she told reporters.
Phogat emphasizes on farmers' rights and legitimate demands
"I have come to meet my family members (farmers) and if you spin it, their fight and struggle will be wasted.. I am a sportsperson and a citizen of India; elections are not my concern. My only focus is on the welfare of farmers," Phogat said. "The government must listen to our family (farmers). They should have the right to speak and express their views," she said at Shambhu border.
Phogat's retirement and speculation about political career
Phogat recently retired from wrestling after being disqualified for being overweight ahead of her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics. She has reportedly been meeting Congress leaders since she returned to India on 17 August. The wrestling star had also met Congress politician and former Chief Minister of Haryana Bhupendra Singh Hooda at his New Delhi residence on Friday.
She should be nominated to Rajya Sabha: Hooda
This has sparked speculation about a possible political career with Congress in Haryana, which will go to the polls on October 1. After his meeting with Phogat, Hooda said the question of the wrestler joining politics was hypothetical. "Athletes do not belong to one party alone, they belong to the...country. If anyone joins the party, you will get to know...but it is a hypothetical question." "Today, she has faced injustice. She should be nominated to Rajya Sabha," he said.
Farmers's protest continues, plans for future announced
The farmers' protest at the Shambhu border is set to continue with plans for a mahapanchayat in Jind on September 15 and in Pipli on September 22. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has called on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre to open the Delhi-Haryana border as protests will advance toward Delhi after 200 days. "We will present our demands to the government once again, and new announcements will also be made," Pandher said.
