She further stated that seeing Sakshi quit wrestling and Bajrang return his Padma Shri made her feel that it was only appropriate for her to return her awards as well.
Digital Desk: Star wrestler Vinesh Phogat of India stated that she will return her national medals, which include the Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna and Arjuna medals, which she got for her exceptional wrestling performance. This announcement follows the footsteps of fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia.
Similar to Sakshi, who announced her retirement from the sport, and Bajrang, who announced his plan to return his Padma Shri, Vinesh similarly voiced her disapproval on X (formerly Twitter). This came about following the victory of the faction led by previous WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, against which numerous wrestlers led by Bajrang, Sakshi, and Vinesh protested.
Phogat, a gold medallist in the World Wrestling Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that she was driven by the suffering of her fellow wrestlers in the fight against Brijbhushan, who is accused of sexual harassment by young female wrestlers on several occasions.
Referencing Sakshi's appointment as the central government's brand ambassador for the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" scheme following her Rio Olympics bronze medal performance, Vinesh expressed concern that women athletes appear to be valued solely for their roles in government promotional campaigns, with their actual struggles being disregarded.
She added that it was only just for her to return her awards after witnessing Sakshi give up wrestling and Bajrang give back his Padma Shri.
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