Indian wrestlers, Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat's cousin, Ritika Phogat committed suicide, reportedly after losing the final bout in a wrestling tournament. The Phogat sisters have confirmed the news.
Former Indian wrestler and coach, Mahavir Singh Phogat's daughters, Geeta Phogat and Ritu Phogat confirmed the news of their cousin, Ritika Phogat's demise with their heartbreaking posts on their respective Instagram handles. According to a report in The Times Of India, Ritika had participated in a wrestling tournament in Rajasthan and allegedly committed suicide after she lost the final bout in a wrestling tournament. The news has stunned the whole nation, as it speaks of the kind of pressure sportspersons have on their shoulders. Also, why it's the need of the hour to make people understand that committing suicide after losing a match or failing in exam isn't right.
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The DSP of Charkhi Dadri, Ram Singh Bishnoi, was also quoted by ANI, saying that the loss in the final match is so far the most understandable reason behind Babita Phogat's cousin, Ritika's decision of committing suicide. He said, "Ritika, wrestler, and cousin of Babita Phogat, died allegedly by suicide on March 17. The reason behind it might have been her defeat at a recent wrestling tournament in Rajasthan. Investigation underway."
On March 18, 2021, Geeta Phogat took to her Instagram handle and confirmed the news of her cousin, Ritika Phogat's demise. The shattered cousin posted a solo picture of Ritika, who was 17-year-old. Geeta's emotional note in the caption also hinted towards the same, as she voiced out the important message that winning and losing is a part of a sportsperson's life. Her heartbreaking note in Devanagari can be read as "Bhagwan meri chhoti behen. Mere Mama ki ladki Ritika ki aatma ko shanti dena. Mere parivaar ke leye bahut he dukh ki ghadi hai. Ritika bahut he honhaar pehalwan thi. Pata nahi kyun usne esa kadam uthaya. Haar-Jeet khiladi ke jeevan ka ek hissa hota hai. Hume esa koi kadam nahi uthana chahiye.”
Take a look:
After some minutes, Geeta Phogat's sister and MMA wrestler, Ritu Phogat also took to her Instagram stories and reacted to the news of her cousin, Ritika Phogat's suicide. The wrestler shared a picture of Ritika in which the young wrestler can be seen posing for the camera with intense expressions and resembled her cousins, Geeta and Babita. Atop the picture, Ritu penned a sad note, and it can be read as "Rest in peace choti behen Ritika. I still can't believe what just happened with you. Will miss you forever. Om Shanti."
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In her another IG story, Ritu requested her massive fanbase and media to ignore all the speculations about her cousin, Ritika's suicide and give her family some time to heal. A little excerpt from her request can be read as "I have been getting messages all morning today. I am very sad and disturbed about what happened in my family. I urge people to not spread and believe in any rumours and act responsibly. These are tough times for my family and me, and I urge you all to respect our privacy. Thank you for all your love, support, and understanding." According to multiple reports, Haryana police is investigating the suicide angle with much detail, and her defeat in the finals of the wrestling tournament is so far the most reliable one. However, the police is still investigating and working on all the possible angles.
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Rest in peace, Ritika!