Vinesh Phogat Debate: What are the female wrestlers saying at the Gonda convention?

For Vinesh, competing in Gonda is more than just a comeback. After the birth of her first child, she reversed her decision to retire, which was her path back to elite wrestling. Instead, the three-time Olympian once again found himself at the center of a bitter battle with the federation.With the event running hours later than planned due to repeated blackouts due to wet weather, female wrestlers from across the country waited inside the event hall as discussions surrounding Vinesh’s exclusion intensified. This sound also made people turn their attention outside.The sprawling Mahavidyalaya campus near Ayodhya certainly brings to mind the man who cast a huge shadow over the Indian wrestling industry. Although the former WFI President Brigitte Bhushan Sharan Singh Although he remains absent from the venue, he was reportedly in touch with federation officials when he appeared at the Delhi Laws Avenue court on Tuesday to hear a sexual harassment case filed by six female wrestlers, including Vinesh himself.Against this background, the debate on Vinesh’s return has intensified. Some felt her exclusion was an unfair treatment of one of the country’s best athletes and the wrong message for women. Others insist the federation simply enforces the rules equally.One of the strongest voices supporting Vinesh is an Olympian Sakshi MalikShe fought alongside her during the Jantar Mantar Wrestlers protest movement in 2023. The Rio Olympics bronze medalist said Vinesh’s return to motherhood should be celebrated, not hindered. Sakshi publicly urged the prime minister to intervene in social media posts.“I can give many examples of sports federations in other countries making it easier for athletes,” Sakshi said in a video shared on social media. “Our federation implemented such a rule just a few days ago so that Vinesh cannot make a comeback. We should set an example for women to come back after giving birth and still win medals for the country. “Sangeeta Chhikara, who is expected to face Vinesh in the 57kg category, admitted that she is looking forward to the match. “I wrestled Vinesh twice and she beat me both times. She is a legend of Indian wrestling,” Sangeeta said. “I learned a lot from competing against her.”The Haryana wrestler, a World Police Games gold medalist and currently serving as Meerut police chief, said she was disappointed that the clash never happened. “If we wrestle here, it will be a great match,” she said. Shruti, a 20-year-old Delhi wrestler and world championships junior 50kg bronze medalist, also backed Vinesh’s return. “She is coming back as a mother and deserves every chance,” Shruti said.Shruti, who has idolized Vinesh since childhood, feels the federation should show greater sensitivity towards one of India’s most accomplished wrestlers. “She did a lot for the country. She deserves at least this much respect,” she added.But not all wrestlers agree. Pooja, a wrestler from Ballari village in Haryana, revealed that she trained with Geeta, Babita and Vinesh at Mahavir Phogat’s akhada and even called Vinesh “bua” (aunt). But she insists personal relationships cannot trump regulations. “I believe the rules should be the same for everyone,” she said. “I heard she didn’t meet the six-month return-to-play requirement and she didn’t meet the whereabouts criteria.“According to Pooja, wrestlers returning from retirement must give six months’ notice and continue to undergo testing. Another famous Haryana wrestler Nishu (53kg) also opposed Vinesh’s participation. “The federation is right to block her now.”