A prominent female wrestler in India, Vinesh Phogat, has handed back two of her awards as a protest against the reported sexual harassment of female athletes.
Phogat, an accomplished wrestler, abandoned her Khel Ratna Award, the nation’s top sports honor received in 2020, and her Arjuna Award on a roadside after being denied permission to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with other wrestlers, she accuses former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh of persistent sexual harassment of women athletes. Singh refutes the allegations. Phogat, frustrated by the lack of justice, declared that such accolades had lost their significance, emphasizing this gesture as she left her awards on the streets of Delhi.
Wrestler protests were initiated in January, led by Ms. Phogat, a two-time World Championship medallist. She claimed that at least 10 female wrestlers informed her about being sexually exploited by Mr. Singh, a powerful lawmaker affiliated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mr. Singh is currently facing charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation in court. Ms. Phogat disclosed that she reported the issue to the prime minister in 2021. In May, during their protest in Delhi, the wrestlers alleged abuse and assault by the police. Recently, a close associate of Mr. Singh was appointed as the new federation president, sparking further outrage and protests among the wrestlers.
Sakshi Malik, another well-known female wrestler, announced her decision to retire from the sport in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Singh’s loyalist. Phogat, a prominent 29-year-old athlete from a family of international female wrestlers, has earned medals in prestigious events such as the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. She has been a vocal advocate against sexist attitudes in sports, sharing with BBC Sport in 2021 her experiences of overcoming gender stereotypes and facing sexist remarks while growing up, emphasizing her journey to establish a successful career as a professional athlete.
- Misleading Video Alters Prime Minister Shehbaz’s Speech Targeting Political Rival, Not His Party - 21/04/2024
- ATC Grants Three-Day Remand for Suspects in Ichhra Bazaar Harassment Case - 19/03/2024
- Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh Lead World in Severe Smog Crisis, Exceeding WHO Guidelines - 19/03/2024
