Chandigarh, August 31, 2024 — Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat joined protesting farmers at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana on Saturday, urging the central government to prioritize and address their demands. The demonstration marked 200 days of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation led by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, calling for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).
The farmers have been staging protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, following a halt by security forces. During the event, Phogat, who was recently disqualified from the 50-kg final at the Paris Olympics, was honored by the protesting farmers.
In her address, Phogat expressed solidarity with the farmers, stating, “I want to tell you that your daughter is with you.” She emphasized that their demands were not “illegitimate” and voiced her frustration at the ongoing protest. “It hurts to see them,” she said, lamenting the inability to assist despite representing the country on an international stage.
Phogat highlighted the irony of the farmers’ situation, noting their critical role in feeding the nation despite their hardships. “If the farmers do not feed us, how will we be able to compete? Despite so much happening, they are feeding the nation with open hearts. They have a big heart, and the government should also show a big heart,” she added.
Regarding the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, Phogat, a resident of Charkhi Dadri, admitted her lack of political knowledge but expressed support for any future farmer agitation in Haryana, stating, “Why not?”
Phogat reiterated that addressing farmers’ issues should be the government’s priority and expressed confidence that their struggle would not be in vain. The wrestler, originally from Balali in Haryana, has previously been involved in protests against the Wrestling Federation of India and its then-chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment. Recently, she was honored with a gold medal by the Sarvkhap Panchayat in Rohtak, Haryana.
