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Asian Games and Commonwealth Games Gold medalist Vinesh Phogat on December 30, Saturday , left her Arjuna and Khel Ratna on Kartavya Path . Earlier, Tokyo Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia in protest over Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan loyalist, being the WFI President. Phogat had earlier announced that she would return the awards stating that given the current situation of female wrestlers in the country, such awards don’t hold value anymore. She announced by writing an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On Saturday, Phogat attempted to leave her Arjuna and Khel Ratna Awards outside the PM office in New Delhi. However, the wrestler was stopped by police at the Kartavya Path. She then decided to leave her awards on the pavement of Kartavya Path. Punia posted the video on his social media, along with the caption, "May this day not come in the life of any player. The women wrestlers of the country are going through the worst phase."
Earlier, in her letter to the PM, she had written, "I was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award, but they hold no meaning in my life anymore." She added, "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 honour."
Along with Punia and Phogat, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik announced her retirement. She announced her decision in a press conference on the same day, Singh was appointed the WFI Chief.
