A billion dreams were shattered on Wednesday (August 7) when Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman ever to reach a wrestling final in Olympics, was disqualified after having been found overweight just hours before the bout for the gold medal. The reactions started pouring in on social media platforms with political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself express profound shock and heartbreak after the official X handle of India’s Olympic contingent announced the sad news
It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made…
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) August 7, 2024
almost immediately after the news broke, fans took to social media to vent their anger and allege that this was conspiracy against the wrestler who was part of the agitation against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The agitating boxers had raised allegations of sexual harassment on Singh.
Those who suspected a conspiracy trained their guns on Brij Bhushan Singh and the ruling dispensation.
इसके पीछे कहीं कोई साज़िश तो नहीं की किसी ने?
क्या #विनेश_फोगाट को कोई ऐसा पेयपदार्थ दिया गया, अगर हाँ तो किसके निर्देश पर?
क्यूकि कई बड़े लोग #vineshphogat की जीत से खुश नहीं थे और चाहते थे कि वो हार जाए।
— Rai (@IacGaurav) August 7, 2024
I am sure that #VineshPhogat is a victim of vendetta politics organised by the #BJP and Modi. I can’t believe #BJP_सरकार will sink to such low levels. Since yesterday #PMModi was waiting eagerly till she gets disqualified and congratulated her the moment she got disqualified. pic.twitter.com/RPREidtHLT
— Suyog Zore (@ZoreSuyog) August 7, 2024
Some X user held the ‘tanashahi’ (dictatorial) regime responsible for the shocking development.
पूरा हिंदुस्तान सदमे में है
एकबार फिर विनेश तानाशाही सिस्टम के सामने हार रही है
Indian Olympic association ko इस फैसले के खिलाफ लड़ना चाहिए।@Phogat_Vinesh#विनेश_फोगाट#विनेश_देश_की_शान#vineshPhogat #Wrestling pic.twitter.com/apI6dnvCo4
— MUKESH KASWA (@MukeshKaswa13) August 7, 2024
She was below 50 for yesterday’s match and today she’s above 50 before the most important bout of her career? What are these nutritionists and dieticians doing? something’s fishy for sure
— Hara ✨ (@Mystic_riverrr) August 7, 2024
Even celebrities raised questions. Actress Swara Bhasker asked if anybody believed being overweight by a few grams was the reason Phogat was disqualified. The post had rhetorical tone.
Who believes this 100grams over weight story???
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) August 7, 2024
