After After Sakshi quitting wrestling, Bajrang returning his Padma Shri, now is the turn of Vinesh Phogat returning her prestigious Arjun Award and Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Puruskar
The controversy regarding quitting wrestling by the woman international Olympian wrestler having brought Bronze for India in Rio Olympics on 2016 and several golds in Commonwealth and Asian Games etc Saakshi Malikkh and returning of the prestigious Padma Shri by international male wrestler and Olympian Bajrang Punia against the WFI ‘s presidential victory by the protege of the former president of WFI and MP Brij Sharon Singh, Sanjay Singh the matter doesn’t seem to die down but is interestingly gaining more momentum as another renowned woman wrestler to win first ever Gold medals in Commonwealth and Asian Games too has made the announcement of returning back her prestigious, Dhyan Chand Khel Award and Arjun Award expressing solidarity with protesting wrestlers Saakshi Malikkh and Bajrang Punia yesterday.
The woman wrestler who stood all the way with the struggling wrestlers, men and women at Jantar Mantar earlier seeking justice against the sexual harrasment charges levelled on the then WFI president Brijmohan Sharma Singh demanding his resignation and stringent action against him for his alleged misdeeds jas, also written a letter to PM informing him of her bold decision about returning her medals.
The matter seems to be in the court these days awaiting final judgement.
In a message posted on social media platform woman outstanding wrestler Vinesh Phogat while making the announcement regarding returning of his prestigious awards in protest and expressing solidarity with Saakshi Malikkh and Bajrang Punia also annexed the two page letter written to PM Narendra Modi mentioning : I am returning my Major Dhyan Chand Khel Award and Arjun Award. Many many thanks to the powerful to enabling us to reach this stage wrote Vinesh on X annexing the letter she wrote to PM.
In a two page typed letter to PM Vinesh Phogat said – Respected PM Sir I am your daughter Vinesh Phogat and am writing a letter to you highlighting the plight I am suffering from since the last one year, after Sakshi Malikkh and Bajrang Punia, quit wrestling and returned Padma Shri.
The entire world knows as to why and how the gold and other medalist winners in Olympics were compelled to return their medals and awards. You are the head of the country and would also be definitely aware of this development. Therefore I am writing to you wrote Vinesh Phogat.
She wrote further : When in 2016 Sakshi Malikhh had won the Bronze in Rio Olympics then your government had made her the country ambassador of ” BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO”. THE WOMEN of the country and the wrestlers were very happy congratulating each other for this wonderful decision of your government. But unfortunately today Sakshi was compelled to quit. I am too worried and feeling that my dream to win medal in Olympics is also becoming blurred now. Can only pray that in the near future, this dream of women wrestlers is fulfilled wholeheartedly. She questioned : Are we women wrestlers only meant for being published in advertisements in papers and channels. The women wrestlers have badly suffered during the last few years with their dreams and future being stifled/ jeopardised. Now, Sakshi has quit wrestling.
Accusing former WFI president not naming him, woman wrestler n gold medalist in Commonwealth and Asian Games Vinesh Phogat said that you must have heard the way he ( Brijmohan Sharon Singh, MP) spoke about women wrestlers using most undignified words and language against them. Sir when I met you I have told you as well about these things. We are struggling hard for the last one year. Sir our prestigious medals, were labelled as merely of Rs 15 being their costs. We have brought laurels for the country winning these medals. When we struggled against injustice we were termed as traitors. I want to ask you prime minister Sir, Are we anti nationals, wrote Vinesh Phogat in a two page letter in English ? She wrote – I don’t know under what circumstances Bajrang Punia has returned his Padma Shri but seeing the picture of his returning the medals, I am feeling stifled from within.
Now I am feeling extremely disgusted seeing my awards said she. When I got these awards, medals my mother had distributed sweets to the neighbours. Told everyone to watch TV as her daughter is receiving awards.but what has happened with us now, no mother in the country would ever want that this should be the stature of her daughter.
Therefore Sir I am returning my Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and Arjun Award because now they don’t hold any meaning for me. Every women want to lead a dignified life. Hence I am returning them to you Sir wrote Vinesh Phogat concluding her letter adding so that these awards do not become a weight on me.
