Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil criticised Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the Lok Sabha for disclosing the amount spent by the government on wrestler
Vinesh Phogat’s training
on Wednesday.
Addressing the Lok Sabha members, Mandaviya stated that the Centre spent Rs 70,45,775 to provide training for wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was unexpectedly disqualified from competing in the women’s 50 kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday. However, the statement from the Sports Minister was criticised by opposition MPs. Shafi Parambil emphasised that the funds come from taxpayers, not BJP leaders, and called for showing solidarity with Phogat.
Parambil began his speech by referring to Phogat as India’s ‘golden girl,’ underscoring her significant achievements and sacrifices. “It was not right on the part of the government to quote the amount that was spent on her practice. When the whole world is listening, we wouldn’t be declaring the crores spent on them. It doesn’t come from the estate of any BJP leader, but from the people of this country. Today, our responsibility was to show our solidarity to her.”
He highlighted Phogat’s struggles, including facing police brutality, spending 40 days protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India, and symbolically discarding her medal in the Ganga river.
Vinesh was one win away from
clinching India’s first gold medal
at the Paris Olympics and was set to face United States wrestler Sarah Ann Hildebrandt at the final on Wednesday night. But the hopes were crushed after Vinesh tipped the scales above the 50kg mark and was subsequently disqualified today.
A lot of attempts were made to bring down Vinesh’s weight overnight. However, it wasn’t sufficient to get her weight in check.
