What happened when Modi called Vinesh Phogat after Olympics disqualification
What's the story
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has claimed that she refused to speak with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following her disqualification from the Paris 2024 Olympics. In an interview with The Lallantop, Phogat said that she declined the call because she did not want her emotions and efforts to be exploited for political purposes. "The call had come (from PM) but I refused to speak," she said.
Call controversy
Phogat criticizes conditions for call recording
Phogat explained that she was informed by Indian officials about PM Modi's intention to speak with her. However, she was not comfortable with the conditions set for the call, which included having two people from their side record the conversation for social media while no one from her team would be present. "I didn't want my emotions and hard work to be made fun of on social media," she stated.
Protest silence
Phogat questions PM Modi's silence on wrestling federation protest
Phogat stated that she would have appreciated a sincere call from the PM without the condition of publicizing the conversation. "If he truly cared about athletes, he could have called without recording it," she said. "Maybe he knows if I speak to Vinesh she will ask about the last two years. Maybe that's why I was instructed that there will be no phone from my side because they can edit (video) from their end but I will not edit."
Allegations made
Phogat accuses Indian Olympic Association president of political involvement
Phogat also expressed her disappointment with PM Modi's silence on the protest against then wrestling federation chief and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She was among several wrestlers, including Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik, who led a months-long protest demanding criminal action against Singh. In another interview earlier, she had accused Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha of engaging in politics in Paris.