New Delhi: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, a recipient of the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award, followed through on her decision to return the prestigious accolades.
She left the awards on Kartavya Path in New Delhi after the Delhi Police prevented her from reaching the Prime Minister's office, as per her plan.
Her decision to relinquish the awards came four days after she publicly announced her intention to return the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister earlier in the week. This move followed fellow wrestlers Sakshee Malikkh's retirement from wrestling and Bajrang Punia's return of his Padma Shri.
Phogat, along with Malikkh and Punia, had been actively protesting against the then Wrestling Federation of India head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The BJP MP faced allegations of sexual harassment from several women wrestlers.
A video shared by Bajrang Punia captured Vinesh Phogat walking on Kartavya Path, holding the Arjuna Award trophy and a letter. The footage showed her interacting with a police officer after which she left the awards at the site.
The accomplished wrestler had been honoured with the Khel Ratna in 2020, the country's highest sporting honour, and the Arjuna Award in 2016.
The trio of wrestlers expressed disappointment following the election results favouring a panel led by Sanjay Singh, a close associate of Brij Bhushan, in the Wrestling Federation of India. Singh's panel secured a landslide victory on December 21, defeating Commonwealth Games Gold medalist Anita Sheoran, backed by the wrestlers, with 40 out of 47 votes.
Subsequently, on December 24, the Sports Ministry suspended Singh's panel for violating their constitution and requested the Indian Olympic Association to form an ad-hoc panel for the Wrestling Federation of India, which was established three days later.
In her open letter posted on X, Phogat questioned the representation of women wrestlers in government promotions and expressed her desire to return the awards to avoid compromising her dignity.
Referring to Brij Bhushan's post-election statement asserting his ongoing control, Phogat highlighted his prior acknowledgment on television of making women wrestlers uncomfortable and repeatedly humiliating them.