Parliament
Vinesh Phogat disqualification issue in Parliament: Opposition demands discussion, walks out after denied by Chairman
New Delhi/IBNS: The opposition walked out of Parliament's upper house Rajya Sabha after their demand for a discussion on the dramatic disqualification of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from Paris Olympics was turned down by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, media reports said.
Congress president and party's floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue and said he wanted to know who was behind the disqualification of the 29-year-old, who was a part of the wrestlers' protest against then Indian Wrestling Federation president and erstwhile Bharatiya Janata Party MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh last year.
Singh was accused of sexual harassment by several female wrestlers.
Kharge was followed by Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien stood up and raised the issue. But he was also not allowed by Dhankhar.
Following an uproar, the Opposition walked out of the House.
Vinesh, who was competing in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling category, was disqualified on Wednesday for crossing the weight limit by 100 gm.
Though she normally competes in the 53 kg category, Vinesh brought down her weight to 50 kg for the Olympics.
As per reports, Vinesh skipped meals, trained hard and spent sleepless nights to fit in the criteria.
The efforts went in vain after the Olympic Committee refused to give more time to Vinesh despite requests from the Indian officials.
She was disqualified on the second day of weigh-in.
India on Tuesday basked in joy after Vinesh defeated Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba by 5-0 to enter the Olympics 2024 women's wrestling 50kg final.
She stunned world no. 1 and defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the Round of 16, before edging out Ukraine's Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals.
Vinesh was set to take on Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman Lopez for a place in the final.
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