Balali village in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district is famous for the Phogat sisters, who have earned international acclaim in wrestling over the past decade. Vinesh Phogat, one of the sisters, recently made headlines by reaching the finals in the 50 kg category at the Paris Olympics. Unfortunately, she was found overweight just before the final match, resulting in her losing the silver medal. The entire nation rallied behind Vinesh during this setback.
Family Rift and Social Media Tensions
Despite widespread support for Vinesh, her elder sisters did not stand by her. Instead, they targeted her through social media, which reignited discussions about a professional rivalry among the Phogat sisters. This tension is thought to be fueled by Vinesh’s significant achievements and the upcoming Haryana assembly elections.
Political Aspirations and Family Divisions
Babita Phogat, the second eldest, ran for the Haryana assembly in 2019 on a BJP ticket. Meanwhile, Vinesh has been vocal against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual assault allegations, and she is believed to have the support of Congress. This political divide has contributed to the ongoing family rift.
Geeta Phogat’s Social Media Criticism
Geeta Phogat, the eldest sister, recently posted a cryptic tweet, “Chal ka phal chhal, aaj nahi to kal,” which some interpreted as an indirect criticism of Vinesh. Geeta also shared a post from her husband, Pawan Saroha, directly accusing Vinesh of neglecting their uncle Mahavir in a thank-you message. Geeta’s comments were seen as a further indication of the sibling rivalry.
Public Support and Family Dynamics
During Vinesh’s grand return to India, which was widely covered on TV, her younger sister Babita criticized the notion of achieving success by humiliating others. Babita and Geeta’s absence from Vinesh’s welcome event highlighted their ongoing disputes. In contrast, Bajrang Punia, Sangeeta Phogat’s husband, actively supported Vinesh, standing by her during her disqualification and participating in her roadshow.
Political and Personal Fallout
The rivalry among the Phogat sisters began to intensify when Vinesh, along with other wrestlers, protested against the Wrestling Federation of India. The protest, which was supported by Congress, was seen as politically motivated by Babita, who distanced herself from the movement. Mahavir Phogat, their father, also did not support the protest, leading to further divisions within the family.
Potential Electoral Contest
With the Haryana assembly elections approaching, there are speculations about a potential electoral contest between Babita and Vinesh for the Dadri seat. Babita, who previously contested the elections, is a candidate again, while Vinesh has not yet confirmed her political intentions. If the sisters compete against each other, it could further exacerbate their rivalry, regardless of the election results.
