Rahul Gandhi has criticized PM Narendra Modi over wrestler Vinesh Phogat returning her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award amid a dispute with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Gandhi expressed dismay, calling it painful to witness such treatment by the Prime Minister, who is the guardian of the nation.
Rahul Gandhi wrote on social media (X) – ‘For every daughter of the country, self-respect is first, any other medal or honor comes after that. Today, did the price of ‘political benefits’ received from a ‘proclaimed Bahubali’ exceed the tears of these brave daughters? The Prime Minister is the guardian of the nation, it hurts to see such cruelty on his part.
Vinesh Phogat went to PMO in Delhi on Saturday to return the award. The police intervened, prompting Vinesh Phogat to place the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award on the ground before continuing, returning with folded hands. On returning the award, Vinesh had said- “I have come here for justice.” This fight will continue until justice is received.
Before Vinesh, Bajrang Punia had also returned the Padma Shri award. He had placed his award on the footpath outside the Prime Minister’s house in Delhi. Bajrang Punia had shared the video of Vinesh’s award return and said that this day should not come in the life of any player. Women wrestlers are going through the worst phase at the moment. Previously, Sakshi Malik left her shoes on the table following Sanjay Singh’s election as president in the WFI. Subsequently, the Union Sports Ministry suspended the new WFI executive, establishing an ad-hoc committee via the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to oversee the association.