As Haryana elections near, Vinesh Phogat pledges support to farmers at Shambhu border

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 31

Showing her unfaltering support, ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat joined the farmers' protest at Shambhu border, saying, "your daughter is with you".

A large gathering of farmers on Saturday marked the 200th day of their ongoing protest at the Shambhu border. Vinesh joined them in a show of solidarity.

“We are also residents of this country, we also have a right to protest. Our protest should not be ascribed as politically motivated or associated with any particular caste or creed. We should be treated as a family and our voice should be heard. We should also be given the right to speak. I belong to a family of farmers and understand their pain and suffering. I know how my mother has raised us. I request the government to address and resolve the issue of farmers at the earliest. I also stand with farmers and pray to God give more strength to them," said Vinesh, while addressing the farmers.

She said farmers have been sitting at the border for over 200 days. "It is painful to see them battling weather vagaries, sitting on the road while braving scorching heat and rain, said Vinesh, adding, "If farmers do not provide food, even the players won't be able to do anything. Sometimes we feel helpless and go through immense mental conflict. On one hand, we proudly represent our country on such large platforms as the Olympics, but back home our families are in distress and protesting for their rights."

"The government should listen to the demands of the farmers. If you have acknowledged that a mistake was made, then you should also fulfill the promises you made. Our country will not progress like this. If farmers continue to sit on the roads, nothing will change," she said.

Vinesh, however, declined to comment on her plans to start a political career and contest the upcoming Assembly elections.

Earlier, Vinesh had decided to address the farmers at Khanauri, but later agreed to visit Shambhu border as well, said the spokesperson of two forums – Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM- Non- Political) who are protesting at the border.

Vinesh--one of the medal contenders in the recently held Paris Olympic 2024 where she made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final--witnessed a shock exit hours before the finals as she was disqualified after being found slightly overweight.

Vinesh Phogat has been a vocal supporter of the farmers’ protests in India. She has actively participated in various protest sites, including those at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, showing her solidarity with their demands for legal guarantees on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

Phogat’s visit holds significance in the backdrop of Haryana elections and controversial statement made by actress-turned-politician Kangna Ranaut against the protesting farmers.

The farm leaders sitting at Shambhu and Khanauri borders are also up in arms against the government over the raids carried out by National Investigation Agency (NIA) at the house of women leader, Sukhwinder Kaur Khandi of BKU, Bathinda, and others on Friday.

The raids were conducted barely a day before the completion of 200 days of farmer protest at Shambhu and Khanauri borders.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, who is representing two forums Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM- Non- Political), termed the raid as politically motivated and a misuse of central agencies.