Padma Shri awardee ‘Goonga Pehlwan’ wants Haryana CM to hear him out

New Delhi, November 10

Wrestler Virender Singh Yadav, who is among the Padma Shri awardees this year, has urged Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar to recognise the state’s deaf sportspersons like him as para athletes.

Yadav, who was born in Sasroli near Jhajjar, cannot speak or hear. On Wednesday, he posted a picture of himself sitting on the footpath outside the Haryana Bhawan here with his Padma Shri, Arjuna Award and other international medals.

No cash award

For 4 years, I have been running from pillar to post. I am a junior coach and have not got any cash award. On Tuesday, I spoke about this with the PM. Now, the decision is in your hand. —Virender Singh Yadav

“Honourable CM ML Khattar, I am sitting on the footpath of your residence Delhi Haryana Bhawan and I will not move from here till you don’t give equal rights to deaf players like the para athletes. When the Centre gives us equal rights, why not you?” Yadav tweeted.

There are no Paralympic categories for athletes who are only deaf and the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) is the body which conducts sports events specifically for them.

The Deaflympics is recognised by the International Paralympic Committee, but deaf athletes are not a part of the more celebrated Paralympic Games.

Yadav received the Padma Shri from President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Tuesday, a photo of which was tweeted by Khattar, congratulating the celebrated grappler who inspired an acclaimed documentary on his life titled “Goonga Pehelwan”.

Singh, who has won a bronze and three gold medals in the Deaflympics while competing in the 74-kg weight division, reiterated that he wants same rights, prize money and accolades as para athletes, adding that he has also spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the same.

“Chief Minister, if you consider me a para athlete, why don’t you give me the rights that come with the para title. — PTI