Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat took to social media to lash out at her critics on Sunday. “Those who tweet for 2 rupees and share free knowledge… listen carefully! For your information, let me tell you – I have rejected offers worth crores so far. From soft drinks to online gaming, but I have never compromised on my principles. Whatever I have achieved, I have done it with honesty of hard work and blessings of my loved ones – and I am proud of that.” “And as far as ‘asking’ is concerned… I am the daughter of that land where self-respect is dissolved in mother’s milk. I have learnt from my ancestors – rights are not snatched, they are won. When in need, one knows how to call one’s loved ones, and when one of our own is in trouble – one also knows how to stand with them like a wall,” she posted on X, formerly Twitter. She added: “So, zip it. Sit in the corner and do what you’re best at — cry, cry, cry… and just cry! Because we are not going anywhere. We’re here to stay, grounded, unshaken, and standing tall with our own spine and self-respect!” 2 रुपये लेकर ट्वीट करने वालों और फ्री का ज्ञान बाँटने वालों… ज़रा ध्यान से सुनो!तुम्हारी जानकारी के लिए बता दूँ — अब तक करोड़ों के ऑफर ठुकरा चुकी हूँ।सॉफ्ट ड्रिंक्स से लेकर ऑनलाइन गेमिंग तक, पर मैंने कभी अपने उसूलों का सौदा नहीं किया।जो कुछ भी हासिल किया है, मेहनत की… — Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) April 13, 2025 She had courted controversy after opting for a cash prize from the Haryana government, who recently offered to her benefits equivalent to an Olympic silver medallist, asking her to choose from various options. Phogat, 30, was disqualified from the 2024 Paris Olympics for being overweight ahead of her gold medal bout in the 50-kg category. The three-time Olympian led protests against former former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh. She successfully contested the Haryana Assembly elections from Julana in Jind district last year on a Congress ticket. Recently, the Haryana government offered three choices to Phogat under its sports policy. Official sources on Thursday said she opted for a cash award of Rs 4 crore. She submitted a letter to the state sports department on Tuesday to inform them of her decision. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini last month announced that the Haryana cabinet had decided to offer Phogat benefits equivalent to those of an Olympic silver medallist under the state’s sports policy. The state’s sports policy provides three types of benefits — a cash prize of Rs 4 crore, an Outstanding Sportsperson (OSP) job under Group ‘A’ and a Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) plot. The government recently sought her preference regarding the benefit which she wished to avail. During the Haryana Assembly’s Budget Session in March, Phogat had reminded Saini of his promise to honour her like a medallist after she was disqualified for being overweight ahead of her gold medal bout in the 50 kg category at last year’s Paris Olympics. “The chief minister had said that Vinesh is our daughter and she would receive the reward as an Olympic silver medallist. This promise has still not been fulfilled,” she said in the Assembly. “It is not about money, it is about respect. Many people from across the state tell me that I must have received the cash award,” Phogat said. Saini noted that Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics due to a procedural decision. Calling Phogat “Haryana’s pride”, the chief minister tweeted that he would not allow her honour to be diminished. While the state government has stood firmly by Phogat, the Opposition accused the BJP-led administration of politicising the matter and failing to support her adequately during the Olympics. Phogat, meanwhile, revealed her plans to use the Rs 4 crore cash award to establish a world-class wrestling training institute for young athletes. The initiative, she said, will be a tribute to the sport that brought her national and international acclaim and will help nurture the next generation of wrestlers from Haryana and beyond. (With inputs from Agencies)