Vinesh Phogat, a prominent Indian wrestler, has announced her decision to return the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award, following the election of Sanjay Singh as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Writing an open letter to the Prime Minister, Phogat expressed her dissatisfaction with the appointment of Singh, who is believed to be loyal to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Phogat’s move comes in the wake of fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia returning his Padma Shri award for the same reason.
In a post shared on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Phogat stated, I am returning my Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award. Many thanks to the Almighty for bringing us to this condition. The decision has sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling community.
Phogat’s actions align with the resistance shown by other accomplished wrestlers, including Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia and Olympic and Commonwealth medalist Sakshi Malik. Malik even declared her retirement from the sport during a press conference, following Sanjay Singh’s win over former wrestler Anita Sheoran in the WFI elections held on December 21st.
The protests by these top grapplers stem from allegations of sexual harassment against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh. The wrestlers accused Singh of misconduct towards female athletes, leading to a public outcry. As a result, the Sports Ministry took action and suspended the newly elected WFI body headed by Sanjay Singh. The ministry cited a lack of transparency and non-compliance with venue assignments for national championships as the reason for the suspension. The decision further added to the controversy surrounding the wrestling federation.
The wrestling community and fans alike eagerly await further developments in this ongoing saga. With their strong stance against injustice, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik have shed light on the urgent need for transparency and safeguarding the rights and dignity of athletes.
As an advocate for fairness in sports, Phogat’s decision to return her national awards highlights the importance of addressing the concerns raised by athletes and ensuring that the governing bodies of sports function in a responsible and accountable manner.
The wrestling fraternity hopes that these actions will lead to positive changes within the WFI and the implementation of robust safeguards to protect athletes from any form of harassment or injustice. The sport has always thrived on determination and resilience, and it is at times like these that its true spirit comes to the forefront.
The return of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award by Vinesh Phogat signifies her unwavering commitment to fighting for the rights of athletes and serves as a reminder to all sports enthusiasts and governing bodies that the integrity of the sport must always be upheld.
