Did Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia just enter the political akhada?

After expressing initial disinterest in politics upon returning from the Paris 2024 Olympics, renowned wrestler Vinesh Phogat's chances of contesting elections have now taken a realistic turn.

Vinesh and her fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia's meeting with Rahul Gandhi on 10 Janpath in New Delhi on Wednesday morning ahead of the assembly elections in Haryana is being seen as a move to that effect.

Shortly after an hour-long meeting, the Congress released a photograph of Vinesh and Bajrang with Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, on social media. The gesture undoubtedly sends a strong message of political intent.

The Haryana state assembly elections are scheduled for October 5.

Despite not winning a medal, the 30-year-old Vinesh received a hero's welcome upon her return on August 17. Remember, Vinesh was disqualified from the Paris Olympics for weighing 100 grams more in her 50kg weight category just before her gold medal match.

Although she contested the decision by United World Wrestling (UWW), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld her disqualification.

In response to the disqualification, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling in an emotional post on X, stating, "Mother, wrestling defeated me, I lost. Your dream and my courage are all broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be in your debt."

People loved Vinesh

Despite this setback, her popularity remained evident as people from all walks of life gathered roadside to welcome her.

What is typically a two-and-a-half-hour journey from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to her village in Balali, Haryana took Vinesh over 13 hours due to the overwhelming number of supporters lining the streets. Even upon her late-night arrival, villagers and the local sarpanch were waiting to greet her, bestowing blessings and cash prizes in her honour.

Vinesh has become a prominent anti-government figure, particularly after leading the wrestlers' protest in Delhi in 2023, which demanded justice for female wrestlers accusing former BJP MP and WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual misconduct and exploitation.

The 2018 Asian Games gold medalist also reaffirmed that their fight against Brij Bhushan and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) would continue.

Her meeting with Congress' Rahul Gandhi followed a recent meeting with farmers at Shambhu on the Haryana-Punjab border, where they have been protesting and demanding a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops since 2020.

Raising her voice for farmers, Vinesh said the Centre should respect and accept farmers' demands.

Possible seats

It is now being being believed that Vinesh is expected to contest the elections from the Julana seat, given her family ties and influence there.

The seat is currently held by Amarjeet Dhanda of the Jannayak Janta Party.

It is likely that she will avoid contesting from Charkhi Dadri as a contest there could result in a 'clash of the cousins' should the BJP fields her cousin, Babita Phogat, from the same constituency.

Meanwhile, fellow wrestler Bajrang, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, is also expected to join Congress. Bajrang might contest from the Badli, his hometown.

Known for their popularity and an anti-establishment stance, the duo's impending entry into politics is likely to benefit Congress against the BJP-JJP coalition in the forthcoming elections.

While sportspersons and celebrities joining politics is not new in to the country, should this sign of intent from Vinesh and Bajrang eventually translate to an actual entry to politics, it will be interesting to see how they resume their longstanding fight for justice.