RDuring the farmers’ strike, which involved around 250,000 farmers operating over 2,000 tractors, the BJP showed no signs of concern. However, the subsequent farmers’ agitation caused unease within the BJP, which believed it had secured public support through the construction of the Ram Temple in conjunction with the Lok Sabha elections. Following the farmer protests, the strike led by wrestlers emerged as another significant challenge for the BJP. The political aspirations of wrestler Vinesh Phogat posed further difficulties for the BJP, presenting a new challenge as they attempted to navigate the fallout from the previous farmer protests. It has been suggested that Vinesh might contest the assembly elections in Haryana.
The BJP is well aware that if Vinesh, known for his assertiveness, gains political power, it will be challenging. The Indian political landscape is keenly observing whether Vinesh will address the issues planted by the Modi government through the electoral process. The grievances rooted in the oppression felt in Haryana’s wrestling circles are likely to manifest during the elections. Vinesh returned from the Olympics in Paris to a jubilant reception, led by Congress leader and MP Dipendra Hooda. While the BJP was also present for integration, it lacked significance.
Dipendra Hooda greeted Vinesh Phogat during a roadshow in an open jeep, amidst a large crowd in the national capital. Overwhelmed with emotions, Vinesh felt the support of his fellow countrymen. Haryana’s Opposition Leader, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, remarked that if the Congress has sufficient members, Vinesh will be nominated for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat.
Will the BJP face challenges again if Vinesh enters active politics? If the rumors prove true, a wrestler like Vinesh may attempt to dismantle the BJP’s influence in Haryana. Along with him, a group of wrestling stars is expected to join the political arena. Vinesh is likely to face off against Babita Phogat, the daughter of former wrestler and his mentor Mahavir Phogat. Babita, a gold medalist from the 2014 Commonwealth Games, joined the BJP in 2019 alongside Olympic medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt. Although she contested the Haryana assembly elections that year, she did not succeed. Initially, Babita showed support for the wrestling strike led by Vinesh, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Poonia but subsequently withdrew due to political pressures.
In Haryana, agriculture and wrestling are vital components of life. Wrestling is a tradition ingrained in the culture, practiced from a young age by nearly everyone, much like farming. The picturesque fields of paddy and wheat, cultivated by the hard work of Haryana’s farmers, are central to the landscape. Without their farms and livestock, the people’s livelihoods would be in jeopardy. The country first witnessed farmers and later wrestlers take to the streets in response to the neglect from a government meant to serve the public. The BJP made considerable efforts to minimize the impact of farmers’ frustrations. When farmers faced challenges related to market prices and new agricultural laws, they took to the streets demanding justice, enduring harsh conditions in the capital city. Despite many protesters losing their lives, they persevered. The BJP devised several strategies to mitigate the farmers’ rage during the ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement, which marked the beginning of the farmers’ unrest.
Even before the farmers’ discontent surfaced, athletes in the Hindi heartland began raising their voices. Wrestlers who had triumphed on the global stage found themselves contesting injustice on the streets. While athletes in other nations enjoy celebrity status, our sports stars were drawn into protests by the central government’s actions. In the national capital for several months, chants like “Whenever Modi is scared, he sends in the police” echoed. The wrestlers commenced their strike after Vinesh Phogat accused Brijbhushan, the President of the Wrestling Federation, and the coaches of sexual harassment and issuing death threats against him.
The wrestlers demanded the removal of Brijbhushan and his allies from the federation. Vinesh faced numerous challenges before heading to the Paris Olympics, where he fought vigorously against various issues in his home country. However, when Vinesh was expelled for being 100 grams overweight, he cast doubt on the credibility of Brijbhushan’s coaching staff. A political vendetta perceived to have transpired during the Paris Olympics as a response to these issues remains a contentious topic.
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If Vinesh enters the political arena, it will pose a significant challenge for the BJP. He will encounter numerous obstacles. In Haryana, with assembly elections approaching, political maneuvering surrounding Vinesh’s candidacy has already commenced. Previously, he had stated his reluctance to engage in politics, but recent reports suggest that various political factions are seizing the moment as circumstances unfold.
REPORTER: ANURANJANA KRISHNA
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<h1>Vinesh Phogat: A Driving Force Against Injustice in Indian Politics</h1>
<p><strong>R</strong>In the farmers' strike, which was led by a quarter of a lakh farmers on more than 2000 tractors, the BJP was not the least bit affected. The second farmer's strike was disturbing to the BJP, which was confident that it had taken the people's loyalty in the construction of the Ram Temple built in conjunction with the Lok Sabha elections. The wrestlers' strike was the next headache that came to the BJP before the exhaustion of the farmer's strike was over. The challenge posed by the wrestlers' strike to the BJP during the assembly elections was not a small one.</p>
<h2>Vinesh Phogat's Political Ascent</h2>
<p>Wrestler Vinesh Phogat's entry into politics is seen as a potential game-changer, especially as he emerges as a formidable contender against the BJP. It is rumoured that Vinesh may contest the assembly elections in Haryana, raising concerns within the ruling party, which is already grappling with various challenges.</p>
<h2>Challenges for the BJP</h2>
<p>The BJP knows very well that it will be a task if Vinesh, who is a vengeful man, gets the baton of power. Indian politics is now watching whether Vinesh will answer all the problems sown by the Modi government through the ballot. The pain of oppression still burning in Haryana's <i>akkads</i> will not fail to manifest itself in the elections anyway. The actor who returned home from Paris after the Olympics received a warm welcome, led by Congress leader and MP Dipendra Hooda.</p>
<h3>Public Support and Political Maneuvering</h3>
<p>Dipendra Hooda welcomed Vinesh Phogat in a road show in an open jeep amid a huge crowd in the national capital. A tearful Vinesh was embraced by his own country. Haryana Opposition Leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has announced that Vinesh will be nominated for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat if the Congress has enough members. This public support signals a shift in the political landscape of Haryana.</p>
<h2>The Clash of Titans: Vinesh vs. Babita Phogat</h2>
<p>If Vinesh enters active politics, it may lead to intense rivalry, especially against Babita Phogat, daughter of former wrestler and his mentor Mahavir Phogat. Babita, a 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, joined the BJP in 2019 and contested the Haryana assembly elections that year but faced defeat. She initially expressed support for the wrestling strike led by Vinesh, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, but later backed down due to political pressure.</p>
<h3>Wrestling and Agriculture: The Essence of Haryana</h3>
<p>There is no Haryana without agriculture and wrestling. Wrestling is a routine practiced from a young age, much like farming. The land's paddy and wheat fields are nurtured through the hard work and sweat of Haryana's farmers. The connection between wrestling and farming is deeply ingrained in Haryana's culture; both are celebrated, and the plight of farmers and wrestlers who protested against government neglect highlights the struggle of the common people.</p>
<h2>The Aftermath of Protests</h2>
<p>The country witnessed first the farmers and then the wrestlers taking to the streets when the government, which was supposed to serve the people, was neglected. The BJP tried hard not to be adversely affected by farmers' anger. When the farmers faced fluctuations in market prices and new agrarian laws, they rallied for justice even in the face of adversity, demonstrating resilience and unity.</p>
<h3>Wrestlers' Strike: A Voice for Justice</h3>
<p>Even before the farmers' fury, the voices of the athletes began to swell in the Hindi heartland. Wrestlers, who have faced numerous challenges, took to the streets against injustice. 'Jab jab Modi darta hai, police ko age karta hai' echoed in the national capital for months. Their demands centered around the removal of Brijbhushan Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation, accused of sexual harassment and issuing threats.</p>
<h2>Political Implications of Vinesh's Potential Candidacy</h2>
<p>If Vinesh enters politics, it will certainly be a significant challenge for the BJP. He may have to navigate a myriad of hurdles, especially in a politically charged environment where assembly elections loom. Despite prior indications that he would refrain from a political career, the current circumstances have prompted several political parties to engage with him, signaling the high stakes involved.</p>
<h3>Political Strategies and Public Sentiment</h3>
<p>The current political climate indicates that parties are vying for alliances and support, leveraging public sentiment and personal narratives to build a compelling case for their candidacies. The winds of change appear to be blowing in Haryana, and Vinesh’s potential entry could reshape the political landscape significantly.</p>
<h3>Supporters Rally Round</h3>
<p>Vinesh Phogat’s return from the Paris Olympics was met with an outpouring of support. His adept navigation of political affiliation, alongside his athletic prowess, resonates well with the electorate, particularly the younger demographic seeking representative figures who understand their struggles. His potential candidacy stands as a test against established political norms.</p>
<h2>Conclusion: A New Chapter in Haryana's Politics</h2>
<p>The political trajectory of Vinesh Phogat signals an evolving narrative in Haryana's political scene. With activists like him stepping into the arena, challenges for the incumbent government are almost inevitable. The wrestling community, along with the agrarian activists, may further influence the impending elections and set the tone for future governance in the region.</p>
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