Arjuna Award controversy: Sakshi Malik's open letter to the Prime Minister, asked this question

New delhi date. Saturday 22 August 2020

The sports ministry on Friday decided not to give the Arjuna award to Sakshi Malik and Mirabai Chanu, who received the Khel Ratna. Sakshi Malik, who was devastated by the decision, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Kiran Riju. Sakshi Malik, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, tweeted and asked questions.

He asked, Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji and Hon'ble Sports Minister Kiren Rijuji. I have been honored with Khel Ratna, I am proud of that. Every player dreams of winning all the awards in his own name. Players risk their lives for it. I also have a dream to have an Arjuna Award winner next to my name.

"Which medal should I bring for the country so that I can be honored with the Arjuna award or I will never have the good fortune to win this award in my wrestling life?" He asked.

Sakshi Malik, who has been awarded the country's fourth highest civilian honor, the Padma Shri, received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the highest honor in the Indian sports world in 2017, which is why he did not receive the Arjuna Award this time. Apart from Sakshi, weightlifter Mirambai Chanu, who had received Khel Ratna, also applied for the Arjuna award.

Last week, a selection committee headed by Justice Mukundakam Sharma sent the names of 29 players for the Arjuna Award to the Sports Ministry but the final decision on awarding the two to the Arjuna Award was left to Sports Minister Kiran Riju. The two were also criticized for being included in the list.