Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Writes To PM Modi, Returns Arjuna Award And Khel Ratna Award

Olympic medalist wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Tuesday penned a letter to the Prime Minister indicating her intention to return the Arjuna Award and Khel Ratna awards. This move comes days after wrestlers Sakshi Malik's retirement and Bajrang Punia's decision to return his Padma Shri Award, in demand for a probe and arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vinesh Phogat said she is returning her national sports awards so they "don't become a burden on us in the path of living with honor."

However, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has already suspended the newly-elected WFI body led by Sanjay Singh, a close associate of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

According to the reports, the action against the Sanjay Singh-led body was taken after the Sports Ministry observed that WFI was being in complete control of former office bearers, which is disregarded by the Sports Code.

The Ministry also noted a rush to announce upcoming U15 and U20 national venues by the body.

A few days ago, wrestler Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shree award after Sanjay Singh's front clinched the presidency, securing 13 out of 15 positions in the elections.

On the other hand, Brij Bhushan Singh, after the ministry expelled the WFI body, said "I have worked 12 years for the wrestlers. Time will tell if I have done justice. I am completely retired from wrestling. I have cut ties with wrestling. Now decisions and talks with the government will be done by the elected people of the federation."