TNFChandigarh/TNF
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) national general secretary Abhay Chautala has sparked controversy with his remarks on Congress candidate and wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s gotra (lineage). During a campaign event, Chautala questioned Vinesh’s use of her maiden surname “Phogat” instead of adopting her marital gotra “Rathi.”
In his speech, Chautala stated, “Her father passed away a long time ago, and she shifted to Khar Khoda. She doesn’t even write ‘Rathi’ after her name; she uses ‘Phogat’. She doesn’t understand whose name the family gotra is supposed to be written behind.” His comments were directed at Vinesh for retaining her father’s surname instead of adopting her husband Somveer Rathi’s gotra after marriage.
Vinesh Phogat, an international wrestler and a significant figure in Indian sports, hails from the prominent Phogat family. Her marriage to Somveer Rathi from Julana, Haryana, did not alter her surname, a choice that has now been criticized by Abhay Chautala. His statement has triggered a backlash, with many questioning the relevance of raising gotra issues in the modern political context.
Chautala’s remarks were made while campaigning for the INLD-BSP candidate Dr. Surender Lathar in Julana, where Vinesh Phogat is contesting as the Congress candidate. The Julana seat has become a battleground between multiple strong contenders, making it a closely watched constituency in the upcoming Haryana elections.
Abhay Chautala also targeted Congress and its leaders, alleging that they forced Vinesh to enter politics, thereby making her quit wrestling and give up her job. “Congress party is desperate. They have no suitable candidates left to field. Vinesh was once a national pride, respected by all parties. But Bhupender Hooda made her a Congress member and took away both her wrestling career and her job,” Chautala remarked.
In response, Congress leaders defended Vinesh Phogat’s candidature. Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupender Singh Hooda explained the decision to offer her a ticket. He revealed that after Vinesh’s return from Paris, she, along with wrestler Bajrang Punia, had expressed a desire to join politics and sought a Congress ticket for the upcoming elections.
“Vinesh Phogat met me after returning from Paris. She, along with Bajrang Punia, met Rahul Gandhi, and later approached me, requesting a ticket for one of them. After thorough discussions, we decided to offer Vinesh a ticket for the Julana constituency,” Hooda said.
Hooda further justified the decision by highlighting the contribution of Haryana’s athletes to Indian sports. “Haryana accounts for only 2% of India’s population, yet it has produced a significant number of medal winners. Out of the 38 gold medals India won at the Commonwealth Games, 22 were from Haryana. Similarly, if there are 6 medals at the Olympics, 4 will likely come from our state. Our support for Vinesh is a reflection of our respect and encouragement for sportspersons,” Hooda added.
Vinesh Phogat’s entry into politics has indeed created waves. Her candidature was officially announced in Congress’s first list released on September 6, just hours after she and Bajrang Punia joined the party in the presence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The decision to field Vinesh from Julana has stirred discussions, especially given the complex electoral dynamics of the constituency.
Julana’s demographic profile consists of 1.87 lakh voters, with nearly 70% belonging to the Jat community. This election, four out of the five main candidates, including Vinesh, are from the Jat community, making the split of Jat votes a crucial factor. Apart from Vinesh, the key contenders are Dr. Surender Lathar from INLD-BSP, and other Jat candidates from prominent political parties. If the Jat votes are divided, it could significantly impact Vinesh’s chances of winning.
While Chautala’s comments have drawn criticism for focusing on personal and social issues rather than political or developmental agendas, it has also highlighted the challenges Vinesh Phogat might face as a newcomer in the political arena. Many believe that such statements are attempts to divert attention from real issues and play on identity politics.
Despite the controversy, Vinesh remains focused on her campaign. Her entry into politics is being seen as a bold move, given her international recognition and popularity as a wrestler. However, the electoral battlefield is not as straightforward as the wrestling arena. Her performance in the elections will depend not just on her personal reputation but also on how effectively she can navigate the political landscape of Haryana.
As the election date approaches, all eyes are on Julana to see whether Vinesh Phogat’s transition from sports to politics will resonate with the voters or whether issues like gotra and identity politics will overshadow her campaign.
