While taking part in the wrestler's protest in 2023, three-time Commonwealth Gold medalist, Vinesh Phogat took a big step by returning the Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award on December 30, 2023. Vinesh also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed her disappointment over the appointment of Sanjay Singh as a new President of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Notably, Sanjay has been a close aid of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whom Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia accused of sexual assault against several female wrestlers.
In January 2023, around 30 Indian wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Anshu Malik, and Bajrang Punia alleged that Brij Bhushan Singh, who was sit-in WFI President, and the coaches were involved in a sexual assault with female athletes for many years, and also demanded to disband WFI. However, in a shocking turn of events, Brij Bhushan’s close friend Sanjay Singh was elected as WFI President after which Vinesh Phogat decided to return her Arjuna Award which she won in 2016 and Khel Ratna Award which she won in 2020. Along with her, Bajrang Punia also returned his Padma Shri Award which he won in 2019.
Every woman wants to live life with respect: Vinesh Phogat’s message to PM Modi
Along with returning her prestigious awards, Vinesh Phogat also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing her disappointment over the incident, and stating that these awards have no more significance in her life now. Along with this, Sakshi Malik also announced her retirement from wrestling during a press conference.
“I was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award, but they hold no meaning in my life anymore. Every woman wants to live life with respect. Therefore, Prime Minister, I want to return my Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award to you so that these awards don't become a burden on us in the path of living with honor," Vinesh Phogat wrote in her letter to PM Modi.
