India’s two-time Wrestling World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat on Tuesday, introduced her determination to return her Main Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna award.
Phogat, who has been within the forefront of a year-long protest towards the previous Wrestling Federation of India chief and Bhartiya Janta Occasion MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, revealed her determination on X (previously Twitter).
“Now I wish to get away from the shadow of Vinesh, who gained all these awards,” Phogat wrote in a press release addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I used to be honoured with Main Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award, which doesn’t maintain any significance in my life now. Each girl needs to dwell a respectful life. Therefore Prime Minister sir, I wish to return my Main Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award to you in order that it doesn’t stand as a burden in our dignified life.”
Phogat’s determination comes simply days after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia left his Padma Shri – India’s fourth highest civilian honour – on a footpath exterior the Prime Minister’s residence in protest of Sanjay Singh’s election as the brand new Wrestling Federation of India chief a day earlier.
Simply hours after Singh, an in depth aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was elected in as the brand new president, the 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik had introduced her retirement.
Phogat, in her assertion, talked about that Punia and Malik’s transfer performed a serious function in her determination.
“Sakshi Malik left wrestling and Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri,” she wrote. “Your entire nation is aware of why the Olympic medallists needed to take such a step and you’re the nation’s Prime Minister, you could certainly know.
“I have no idea in what situation Bajrang determined to return his Padma Shri. However I’m damaged inside since I noticed his picture. Since then I’ve been repulsed by these awards.”
The 29-year-old Phogat was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2016 and the Main Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2020.
मैं अपना मेजर ध्यानचंद खेल रत्न और अर्जुन अवार्ड वापस कर रही हूँ।
इस हालत में पहुँचाने के लिए ताकतवर का बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद 🙏 pic.twitter.com/KlhJzDPu9D
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) December 26, 2023
Phogat’s determination additionally comes simply three days after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports activities suspended the newly elected govt committee of the nationwide sports activities physique, accusing it of disregarding norms.
High Indian wrestlers, together with the likes of Phogat, Punia, and Malik, have been demanding the removing of the Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh because the President of the Wrestling Federation of India since January.
The protest was once more restarted in April and the wrestlers spent 40 days on the Jantar Mantar in Delhi, with no motion taken even three months after they referred to as off their first protests after assurances from the federal government.