Renowned Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has bravely decided to give back her Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna as well as Arjuna Award, which signifies the highest honor in sports in the nation. This strong action is a firm protest against the issues that Indian wrestling confronts. Phogat’s action reflects the anger from the wrestling community, which was sparked by fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia’s recent return of the Padma Shri.
Vinesh Phogat wrote an honest letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing that the Arjuna and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna medals no longer had any meaning in her life. She noted the striking contrast between the glamorous government ads that promote women’s empowerment and the challenging circumstances that female athletes who are fighting for justice endure.
Wrestling in Crisis: Vinesh Phogat’s Perspective
Phogat described with great detail how Sakshi Malik was named the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” program’s brand ambassador in 2016 following her Olympic victory. She was disappointed by the waning hopes of Olympic glory, though, and questioned whether female athletes are just props for government ads. Phogat’s appeal speaks to the larger problem that female athletes confront and emphasizes the necessity of real support in addition to token acts.
The Harrowing Impact of Leadership
The decision to return trophies was made in response to accusations made by Vinesh Phogat, Punia, and Malik against former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan) regarding his alleged sexual harassment. The suspension of the recently elected WFI has caused a leadership crisis within the wrestling community that is affecting the sport’s fundamental principles.
Developing a Future Course
There is an increasing need for systemic change in Indian wrestling as Olympic medalists and champions return their medals. An essential first step in addressing the situation is the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) creation of an ad hoc committee to manage the WFI’s daily operations. In addition to seeking redress for the assaulted athletes, the wrestling community as a whole wants to see the integrity and spirit of the sport revitalized.
The choice made by Vinesh Phogat to return her awards goes beyond sports. It is a strong call for reform, reiterating the need for open and honest leadership, gender parity, and a steadfast dedication to the athletes who represent the country with distinction. The collective stance of the wrestling community underscores that real empowerment does not come from token gestures but rather from tackling the structural issues that jeopardize Indian wrestling as a whole.
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