Three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time World Championships bronze medallist wrester Vinesh Phogat on December 26 announced that she’s returning her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award in protest to Sanjay Singh -- Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's close aide -- becoming Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi she shared on her social media accounts, Vinesh expressed her disappointment over circumstances that led to Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik to announce her retirement.
“I remember the year 2016 when Sakshi Malik won the Olympic medal and your government made her the ambassador for the ‘Beti Bachao, beti padhao’ campaign. All of us female athletes were happy and congratulating each other. Now that she has retired from wrestling, are we just meant to be published as government ads?
“I had dreamt of winning an Olympic medal, but now that’s becoming blurred. I’ll just pray that the female athletes in the future get to fulfill their dreams,” she added.
Earlier, Bajrang Punia had returned his Padma Shri award. Punia left it on the footpath outside PM Modi's residence in Delhi. Vinesh alongside Sakshi and Punia protested in Delhi demanding an action against then WFI chief Brij Bhushan who had been alleged of sexual harassment by female wrestlers.
“Our lives aren’t as fancy as those advertisements. Female wrestlers have lived the past few years in suffocation. Those who’ve exploited us have managed to ensure that they stay in power as well. If you could spare five minutes of your life to go through what that man has said, you’ll know. He’s called women wrestlers as Manthara, openly accepted that he’s made us feel uncomfortable, and never spared an opportunity to malign us. It’s scary how he has ensured that we step back,” Vinesh wrote.
“I tried forgetting all of what’s happened, but it’s not that easy. We dragged ourselves to the streets in search of justice. Our medals and awards are being termed as worth pennies, but they are more dear to us than our lives. When we won, we were called as pride of the country. Now that we raise our voices against injustice, we are being deemed as traitors.
“I can’t imagine what must’ve been going through Bajrang’s head when he returned his Padma Shri. But keeping that photo of his in mind, I feel ashamed of my awards. When I’d won them, my mother had shared sweets with the neighbors. ‘Look, how beautiful my daughter looks while receiving that award,’ she’d say to them. I get scared just thinking what they’d be saying to her now looking at my current state,” the 29-year-old added.
Meanwhile, Brij Bhushan Singh has distanced himself from the suspension of the WIF, stating that he has retired from wrestling administration. Instead, the Sanjay-led camp will handle the situation. The newly-elected President plans to approach the Sports Ministry to seek the revocation of the suspension, explaining the newly-elected panel's stance.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
