The long-standing standoff between Congress MLA and wrestler Vinesh Phogat and the Haryana BJP government has finally come to a close, as the 30-year-old has opted for the ₹4 crore cash prize announced for her performance at the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite being disqualified in the final of the 50kg wrestling category, the state government maintained its stand to honour her as a silver medallist, and she has now accepted the monetary reward.
According to India Today report, Phogat, India’s most decorated female wrestler, had been given three choices a residential plot, a Group A government job, or a ₹4 crore cash prize. She chose the financial reward, which is being arranged through the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP). The decision ends weeks of back-and-forth after the delay in releasing the prize money.
The issue gained traction after Phogat raised the matter during the Haryana Assembly’s budget session, questioning the government's delay. “It’s not about the money, it’s about respect,” she said. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had promised to reward Phogat as an Olympic medallist in August 2024. Haryana’s sports policy is considered one of the most generous in the country. It offers ₹6 crore to Olympic gold medallists, ₹4 crore to silver medallists, and ₹2.5 crore to bronze medallists.
Vinesh Phogat and Olympic disqualification saga
In Paris, Vinesh had scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. Unfortunately, just before the gold medal bout, she was disqualified for exceeding the 50kg weight limit by 100 grams a harsh but clear violation under international wrestling rules.
While the disqualification was purely technical many linked it to the high profile protest along with Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik in 2023 demanding action against former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.
Following the Paris Olympics heartbreak, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, 2024 and made her transitioned into politics. She joined the Congress and won the Julana seat in the October 2024 Haryana Assembly elections.
