Criticizing the Unfair Trolling of Vinesh Phogat: A Look at Sarthak Goswami, Abhi, and Niyu
Vinesh Phogat’s decision to join Indian politics has sparked widespread criticism, much of which is unfair and hypocritical. One of the most unsettling aspects of this backlash comes from those who are influential on social media, such as Abhi and Niyu, and respected journalists like Sarthak Goswami. These individuals have not only mocked Vinesh for her choice to enter politics but have also shown clear favoritism towards the ruling BJP government. Their comments are not only tone-deaf but also fail to account for the immense struggles that Vinesh Phogat has endured throughout her life and career.
Abhi and Niyu: Selective Activism and Hypocrisy
Abhi and Niyu, who are widely known for their socially-conscious content, have often supported BJP policies and political figures. When athletes like Ravindra Jadeja and Saina Nehwal joined the BJP, they remained supportive, celebrating their decision without any critique. However, when Vinesh Phogat took a step into politics, the narrative changed. She became the target of unnecessary trolling, with Abhi and Niyu suddenly calling her political motivations into question.
This hypocrisy is jarring. Athletes like Vinesh are not immune to the same rights as others to express their political views or join a political platform. Abhi and Niyu, who have built their platform on positive activism, seem to have lost that perspective when it came to Vinesh. The question arises: Why is there selective outrage when certain individuals make political choices that differ from the popular narrative? Vinesh has always been vocal about injustice and standing up for what’s right—values that align with Abhi and Niyu’s supposed stance on many issues. Yet, they chose to troll and question her, instead of acknowledging the complexity of her life and struggles.
Sarthak Goswami’s Disappointing Remarks
Perhaps the most surprising and disheartening reaction came from Sarthak Goswami, a respected journalist who is known for his sharp insights into Indian politics and society. Goswami’s mocking comment that Vinesh “didn’t want to politicize her protest but joined politics” is not only ill-informed but deeply offensive. Comparing Vinesh’s decision to “eating curry from chicken curry and calling ourselves vegetarian” trivializes her years of hard work and sacrifice.
This comment reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the distinction between politicizing an issue and making a conscious decision to join politics. During the protests, Vinesh and her fellow wrestlers were fighting for justice, not for political gain. The objective was to highlight the exploitation and corruption within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and to bring attention to the injustice faced by athletes. To say that Vinesh’s entry into politics negates her earlier stance is disingenuous. There is a clear difference between using an issue for political leverage and stepping into a political role to create systemic change.
Moreover, the fact that this remark came from someone like Sarthak, who is respected in journalism, makes it even more troubling. As a journalist, Sarthak should be aware of the hardships Vinesh has faced—both on and off the wrestling mat. He should have shown empathy instead of making snide comments.
Sarthak’s Pro-BJP Bias: A Recent Trend
Sarthak Goswami’s increasing alignment with BJP policies is evident in many of his recent commentaries, whether it is his support of the Swachh Bharat campaign or various failed banking schemes of the current government. This shift in his journalistic stance is worrying, as it suggests a growing tendency to toe the party line rather than question the government’s failures. The Swachh Bharat campaign, while initially well-received, has faced significant criticism for its lack of sustained impact, particularly in rural areas. Similarly, several of the BJP’s banking schemes have failed to deliver on their promises, yet Sarthak continues to praise them without offering any critical analysis.
This trend of supporting the government without question extends to his treatment of Vinesh Phogat. Instead of understanding her personal struggles and acknowledging the complexities behind her decision to join politics, Sarthak seems to have taken the easy route of mocking her—aligning his stance with that of other pro-BJP commentators. One would expect a journalist of Sarthak’s caliber to recognize the nuances of Vinesh’s life story and lend his voice in support of her, particularly at a time when she is being relentlessly trolled by many.
The Difference Between Politicizing Issues and Joining Politics
One of the most significant points that Sarthak, Abhi, and Niyu fail to grasp is the difference between politicizing a social issue and joining politics. During the wrestlers’ protests against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Vinesh was focused on bringing attention to the rampant corruption and exploitation in the WFI. Her aim was not to score political points but to fight for justice for herself and her fellow athletes. The protest was a call for accountability, not an attempt to align with any political party or ideology.
Vinesh’s decision to join politics is an entirely different matter. By entering the political arena, she has chosen to use her voice and platform to bring about systemic change. Unlike many who sit on the sidelines and criticize, Vinesh has made the courageous decision to take action. Her critics fail to see that joining politics can be a powerful way to address the very issues she has fought against for years. It is a natural extension of her activism, not a contradiction of it.
Sarthak’s Missed Opportunity
At a time when public figures and journalists should be showing solidarity with Vinesh, Sarthak chose to mock her instead. This is a missed opportunity for someone with his influence. Instead of tearing her down, Sarthak could have used his platform to amplify the challenges she has faced throughout her life—challenges that include losing her father at a young age, facing societal backlash as a female wrestler, battling severe injuries, and enduring relentless trolling on social media.
What makes Sarthak’s comment particularly disappointing is that he has long been respected as a voice of reason and integrity in Indian journalism. He is someone who could have spoken out against the bullying and trolling that Vinesh has faced, but instead, he contributed to it. His mockery not only diminishes the seriousness of her decision but also undermines the real pain and hardships she has endured.
Expecting Better from Sarthak Goswami and Others
The trolling of Vinesh Phogat by figures like Sarthak Goswami, Abhi, and Niyu is not only disappointing but also a reflection of the double standards that exist in Indian discourse around politics and activism. Vinesh’s decision to join politics should be celebrated as an act of courage, not mocked or belittled. If athletes like Ravindra Jadeja and Saina Nehwal can be praised for their political affiliations, why should Vinesh be treated any differently?
Sarthak, in particular, should have known better. As someone with a respected platform in journalism, his comments should reflect empathy and understanding, not unnecessary snark. It is high time that commentators and influencers like him recognize the immense struggles that Vinesh has gone through and support her as she embarks on a new chapter in her life. Instead of trolling, it’s time to show solidarity with one of India’s finest athletes as she seeks to bring about the change she has fought for all her life.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/will-keep-proving-brij-bhushan-wrong-vinesh-phogat-101725840226672.html
