Vinesh Phogat Takes a Stand: A Champion Wrestler’s Bold Move

Vinesh Phogat, a revered name in Indian wrestling, has made headlines with her courageous decision to return her prestigious Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards.

A Brave Step in Protest

Recently, the wrestling fraternity has been abuzz with significant gestures from accomplished athletes. Vinesh Phogat’s decision to return her Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards stems from a deep-rooted protest against the governance of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). In a heartfelt letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Phogat outlined the pressing issues that have plagued Indian wrestling.

Wrestling in Turmoil

Phogat’s move follows the footsteps of Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and Deaflympics champion Virender Singh Yadav, who also relinquished their awards in protest. The catalyst for these actions revolves around the election of Sanjay Singh, an ally of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as the president of the WFI. Allegations of harassment and a lack of support for athletes have cast a shadow over the sport.

Vinesh Phogat Speaks Out

In her poignant letter to the Prime Minister, Phogat eloquently expressed her disillusionment. She reminisced about the year 2016, when fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik received acclaim as the brand ambassador of the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” program. However, Phogat questioned the fate of female athletes beyond mere representation in government initiatives. The reality, she emphasized, starkly contrasts the glamorous facade portrayed in advertisements.

मैं अपना मेजर ध्यानचंद खेल रत्न और अर्जुन अवार्ड वापस कर रही हूँ।

इस हालत में पहुँचाने के लिए ताकतवर का बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद 🙏 pic.twitter.com/KlhJzDPu9D

— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) December 26, 2023

A Cry for Dignity

Phogat raised crucial concerns about the treatment of women wrestlers, citing derogatory remarks and a hostile environment perpetuated by certain figures within the WFI. She underscored the plight of athletes who’ve been compelled to step back due to the unsettling circumstances. Phogat’s poignant question to the Prime Minister echoes the sentiment of many athletes: Are they labeled traitors for demanding justice and respect?

Awards Lose Meaning

Vinesh Phogat’s decision to return her awards reflects her disappointment in their symbolic value. She vividly narrates the contrasting emotions of receiving those accolades, once a dream fulfilled, now marred by the harsh reality faced by athletes. The medals that once symbolized pride and accomplishment have now become burdensome reminders of a compromised dignity.

A Plea for Change

Phogat’s bold step has garnered attention and sparked discussions within the sports community. It underscores the urgent need for reforms in sports governance and athlete support systems. Her letter serves as a plea for recognition, dignity, and justice for all athletes striving to excel in their chosen fields.

Here is the full text of the letter Vinesh Phogat posted:

“Sakshi Malik has quit wrestling and Bajrang Punia has returned his Padma Shri. The whole country knows why the players who won Olympic medals for the country were forced to do all this and you are the head of the country, so this matter must have reached you too. Prime Minister, I am Vinesh Phogat, the daughter of your house and I am writing this letter to you to tell you about the condition I am in for the last one year.

I remember the year 2016, when Sakshi Malik won a medal in the Olympics, your government made her the brand ambassador of the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” program. When this was announced, all the women athletes of the country were happy and sent congratulatory messages to each other.

Today, ever since Sakshi has quit wrestling, my mind goes back to the year 2016. Are we female players made only to appear on government advertisements? We have no objection to those advertisements being published, because from the slogans written in them, it appears that your government wants to work for the upliftment of daughters. I had dreamt of winning an Olympic medal, but that dream is fading now. I just pray that this dream of the upcoming female athletes is definitely fulfilled.

But our lives are not at all like those fancy advertisements. What the women wrestlers have experienced in the last few years must have made one understand how suffocated we are living. Those fancy flex boards of your advertisements must have become old and now Sakshi has also retired.

The exploiter has also declared his dominance, and has also raised slogans in a very crude manner. Spare five minutes of your life and listen to the statements given by that man in the media, you will know what all he has done. He has not left even a single opportunity to humiliate us women players. What is more serious is that it has forced many female wrestlers to step back. This is very scary.

I’ve tried to forget this incident many times, but it is not so easy. Sir, when I met you, I had told you about this too. We have been dragging ourselves on the streets for the last one year for justice. No one is taking care of us.

Sir, our medals and awards are being said to be worth Rs 15, but these medals are dearer to us than our lives. When we won medals for the country, the whole country was proud. Now, when we raise our voice for justice, we are being called traitors. Prime Minister, I want to ask you, are we traitors?

I don’t know under what condition Bajrang would have decided to return his Padma Shri. But I am suffocating inside after seeing that photo of his. After that now I too have started feeling disgusted with my awards. When I received these awards, my mother distributed sweets in the neighborhood and told my aunts that I was on TV and they should watch it. She told them that her daughter looked beautiful receiving the award.