Indian Wrestler Virender Singh Yadav Joins Bajrang Punia in Returning Padma Shri Award
In a show of protest against the appointment of Sanjay Singh as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Virender Singh Yadav, a gold medallist from the 2005 Summer Deaflympics, has announced his decision to return his Padma Shri award. This comes a day after Bajrang Punia, another renowned wrestler, handed back his Padma Shri award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Virender Singh Yadav, also known as Goonga Pehalwan, was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2021, following his remarkable performance at the Deaflympics. In 2015, he was also bestowed with the esteemed Arjuna Award.
Expressing his solidarity with Punia, Virender Singh Yadav stated that he would return the Padma Shri award not only for himself but also on behalf of his sister and the daughter of the country, Sakshi Malik. He urged other top players, including Neeraj Chopra and Sachin Tendulkar, to make their voices heard in the ongoing dispute between the players and the WFI.
The outcry from the wrestling community began after Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan Singh, was elected as the president of the WFI. Sakshi Malik, a bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, had previously announced her retirement from wrestling in protest against this decision.
The Sports Ministry has acknowledged Bajrang Punia’s personal decision to return his Padma Shri award and stated that they will try to persuade him to reconsider. They have also called for the involvement of prominent figures like Neeraj Chopra and Sachin Tendulkar to help resolve the ongoing conflict.
The wrestling community’s united stance against the appointment of Sanjay Singh reflects their dissatisfaction and concerns regarding the leadership of the WFI. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the authorities will address the grievances of the athletes and work towards a resolution.,
Former wrestler Virender Singh Yadav has decided to return his Padma Shri award in protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections. Yadav, who won the award in 2010, expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in the organization. The WFI has been facing criticism over its handling of various issues, including selection controversies and lack of transparency. Yadav’s decision to return the prestigious award highlights the growing discontent among athletes and raises questions about the credibility of the WFI.
