Vinesh Phogat said- Our tears were called drama: When we opposed the wrong, we made the opposite allegations; we need the support of the country

Everyone found this dialogue from Aamir Khan’s film ‘Dangal’ “Mhari choriyan, chhoron se kam hain ke” very sweet to hear. But many women wrestlers these days are feeling inferior. They feel that their voices are being suppressed and this is happening just because they are girls.

In fact, these days many big wrestlers of the country are sitting on a dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. These wrestlers have accused the president of the wrestling association of sexually abusing female wrestlers. They demand that action should be taken against the president. Wrestlers say that they will continue their strike till the arrest of the Wrestling Federation President.

Vinesh Phogat is also included in the women wrestlers sitting on strike. Prestigious Arjuna Awardee wrestler Vinesh Phogat has won medals for the country in Commonwealth and World Championships.

In a conversation with Woman Bhaskar, she shared the story of her and fellow female wrestlers’ struggles. In today’s ‘Yeh Main Hoon’, the story of woman wrestler ‘Vinesh Phogat’…

In a special conversation with Woman Bhaskar, wrestler Vinesh Phogat shared her pain and that of fellow women wrestlers.

Being a wrestler I thought I was very strong, today I am feeling weak

I was born in a family of wrestlers. Childhood was spent between akhadas, daav-pench and chit-pat. It was my dream from the beginning to become a wrestler, to bring medals for the country. The word ‘wrestler’ is very pleasant to hear. If someone calls you a wrestler, you feel very powerful. It seems as if we can tear apart the chest of the earth or lift a mountain. It is a big deal for a girl to feel empowered in a male dominated society, because girl power is puzzling in the eyes of many men.

When I started playing at the national and international level, I felt that I have really become a wrestler. It seemed that I could charm anyone. But today I am sitting here on dharna to get justice for my sisters. It’s been a long time that our voice is not being heard, so I am feeling weak. Perhaps my biggest misconception was to think that I am strong.

The wrestlers sitting on the dharna demand that the accused should be arrested at the earliest.

Before moving ahead in the news, let us share our opinion through this poll…

Uncle had taught wrestling, ‘Dangal’ story of my house
My whole family is into wrestling. My father Rajpal Phogat was also a wrestler. When I was just 9 years old; That’s when he died. My mother raised me single-handedly.

Uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat taught me wrestling after the death of my father. Uncle is counted among the biggest wrestling coaches in the country. Geeta and Babita Phogat are my cousins. Aamir Khan’s film ‘Dangal’ is the story of my house.

The journey of struggle started from the village
Earlier wrestling was considered only a men’s game. In such a situation, this journey was not easy for us. My father and uncle were of the opinion that “Mhari chhori chhoron se kam kam katha hi hai”.

When we started wrestling, a lot of people called it wrong. We also heard taunts. But when we started winning medals for the country, the taunts turned into congratulations.

Vinesh says that as a wrestler she always considered herself strong; But at present, she is finding herself helpless.

our tears are called drama
Society is male dominated, it wants to confine girls to home. When we girls win medals, we are made to sit on our heads and eyes, but maybe it is all a show off. When we raise our voice, oppose the wrong, on the contrary, we are blamed.

Male athletes are heard. People find it unpleasant to raise our voice. Even if we cry sometimes, our tears are called drama.

We wrestlers know the ordeal; But we also have feelings, we feel bad, we cry when we are alone. We also need support; Of family, of friends and of the whole country.

Mother Sita was also tested by fire, we girls go through this test at every step.
As far as the struggle of women is concerned, thousands of years ago even Mother Sita had to pass the ordeal. In the same way, even today, we girls have to give a fire test at every step. First the struggle to get out of the house, then the struggle for wrestling, then the struggle in wrestling and then now the struggle to tell their problems and get justice.

Vinesh has won medals for India in many international competitions.

Went to Olympics twice, three gold medals in Commonwealth
I have represented India twice in the Olympics. I have won three gold medals for the country in the Commonwealth Games. Apart from this, I have also hoisted the country’s flag in the World Championship and Asian Championship. Till now I have won 13 medals for the country in different international competitions.

But I don’t know how I will win this new battle of justice. The sad thing is that we have to fight this battle with our own people within the country.

Injured in Olympics, went on wheelchair to receive award from President
The life of us wrestlers is not easy. There is always a risk of injury. I was playing in Rio Olympics. There was a quarter-final match with a Chinese player. I was leading the match by one zero. But then I hurt my knee badly and I was out of the competition.

I could not even stand on my feet for a long time. A few days later it was announced that I would be awarded the Arjuna Award. I was on a wheelchair, could not climb stairs, President Pranab Mukherjee himself came down three steps and gave me the award. At that moment it was as if all my pain had disappeared and I could fly in the air.

Vinesh Phogat with her mother.

I am the daughter of the village, I don’t care much about the people of the city
I call myself the daughter of the village. The women of the village take care of the family, agriculture and livestock. I am the daughter of those mothers. I get strength from them. I also get the courage to protest against wrong and injustice from there.

People feel that there are restrictions on girls in villages and they get freedom in cities. But my experience is a bit different. I believe that the people of the village consider the girls as their sisters and daughters. But the white-collar people living in the cities are progressive to say the least. But at the same time they also want the girls to sit at their feet. They don’t like a girl who walks with her head held high and talks with eye to eye.

Society and country will become more beautiful if women run
Some people consider women as weak. They feel that we are very emotional and cannot take big decisions. But I believe that the sentimentality of women is their biggest strength. Women cannot see anyone crying. She does not want anyone to bow down before her. She does not keep evil eye on anyone.

In such a situation, I understand that a woman can shake the whole world. If women start running this society and country, then this country and society will become more beautiful.