Uproar in Rajya Sabha over Vinesh Phogat's Disqualification

The Opposition INDIA bloc members today walked out from Rajya Sabha after they were not allowed to discuss the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics 2024. Amid uproarious scenes in the Rajya Sabha, chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar berated Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien for his conduct.

Raising the issue, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it was important to know who was behind the disqualification of Phogat, who was found to be overweight by 100 gms just hours before her 50 kg freestyle gold medal match.

"The issue of Vinesh Phogat is very important... We need to know who was behind it," Kharge said. To this, Jagdeep Dhankhar said the entire nation was feeling the pain and the issue should not be politicised.

"They (the opposition) think they are the only ones whose hearts are bleeding. The entire nation is feeling the pain, from the President, the Prime Minister, to myself. To politicise the issue is the greatest disrespect to the girl (Phogat). She has a long way to go," he said.

"I was so happy that Haryana immediately announced it would give her all financial relief and recognise her as a medal winner," the Rajya Sabha chairperson further said. However, it failed to pacify the opposition MPs as they continued to demand a discussion.

An irate Dhankhar berated TMC MP Derek O'Brien for shouting at the chair and asked him not to lower the dignity of the House. "Your conduct is the ugliest in the House. I condemn your action. Next time I will show you the door. You cannot shout at the desk," Dhankhar said.

Speaking to reporters after the opposition staged a walkout, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said, "The INDIA bloc members have staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha over the Vinesh Phogat issue. We wanted to discuss the issues surrounding her Olympics disqualification, but the government is not ready."