The two-time World Championship medallist Vinesh Phoghat declared her choice to return her Khel Ratna and Arjuna award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter, citing the lack of significance of such honours in the current context of grapplers fighting for justice.

The highest sports award in India, the Khel Ratna, was given to Vinesh in 2020, and she was given the Arjuna Award in 2016.

Days before, Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and Paralympic winner Virender Singh S Yadav returned their Padma Shri awards, despite the government's suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)'s newly elected body. Vinesh made this decision.

Last week, Sanjay Singh was chosen to lead WFI. Since he is a friend of Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, the wrestlers opposed the BJP MP's entry into the WFI.

Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh all accused Brijbhushan of harassing multiple female wrestlers in a sexual manner. Early this year, they had staged a protracted protest at Jantar Mantar.

The sports ministry promised to make an effort to persuade the wrestlers to reconsider their choices.