In a shocking turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics due to technical grounds. Amidst this controversy, Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee has called for government and opposition consensus to award Phogat the Bharat Ratna or a President-nominated Rajya Sabha seat, acknowledging her contributions to the sport. The Trinamool Congress also expressed its support for opposition MPs who are protesting for justice for Phogat's disqualification.
Vinesh Phogat Disqualification and Bharat Ratna Demand
In an unexpected turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics due to technical grounds. Her disqualification sparked outrage among Indian citizens and raised questions about the fairness of the decision.
Background:
Vinesh Phogat is a renowned Indian wrestler who has won numerous medals at major international events, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships, and World Championships. She was widely regarded as a favorite to win the gold medal in the 53kg category at the Paris Olympics.
On the day of the bout, Phogat was disqualified after her opponent, Japan's Sae Nanjo, claimed that Phogat had applied an illegal hold. Replays of the incident showed that both wrestlers had been involved in a scramble, making it difficult to determine whether Phogat had actually used an illegal move.
Trinamool Congress Proposal:
Amid the controversy surrounding Phogat's disqualification, Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee made a bold proposal. He called for government and opposition consensus to award Phogat the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, or a President-nominated Rajya Sabha seat. Banerjee argued that Phogat's contributions to Indian wrestling justified such a recognition.
Bharat Ratna Eligibility:
The Bharat Ratna is awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the fields of art, literature, science, and public service. Athletes have been awarded the Bharat Ratna in the past, including cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and shooter Abhinav Bindra.
Past Precedents:
There have been previous instances of athletes being honored with the Bharat Ratna after facing controversies or setbacks. In 2017, para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia was awarded the Bharat Ratna after winning his second Paralympic gold medal despite facing a serious elbow injury.
FAQs:
1. Why was Vinesh Phogat disqualified?
Vinesh Phogat was disqualified after her opponent claimed she used an illegal hold in the gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics.
2. Was Vinesh Phogat's disqualification fair?
The fairness of Vinesh Phogat's disqualification is a matter of debate. Replays of the incident showed that both wrestlers were involved in a scramble, making it difficult to determine whether Phogat intentionally used an illegal move.
3. What is the Bharat Ratna?
The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honor, awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the fields of art, literature, science, and public service.
4. Has any athlete been awarded the Bharat Ratna before?
Yes, several athletes have been awarded the Bharat Ratna, including cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and shooter Abhinav Bindra.
5. Is it likely that Vinesh Phogat will be awarded the Bharat Ratna?
The likelihood of Vinesh Phogat being awarded the Bharat Ratna is unclear. The decision would require consensus between the government and the opposition, and there may be concerns about setting a precedent for awarding the honor to athletes who do not meet the typical criteria.
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