Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Sanjay Singh, has endorsed the proposal to posthumously honor legendary wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav with the Padma Vibhushan. The Bombay High Court has instructed the Union government to make a decision on this matter by May 4. This directive came during a hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Kusteeveer Khashaba Jadhav Foundation, seeking reconsideration for the prestigious award in recognition of Jadhav’s historic sporting achievements.
The court acknowledged Jadhav as India’s first individual Olympic medalist, emphasizing the need for official recognition of his status. The state government has been urged to provide necessary cooperation for any formalities required in this process. Jadhav, who won a bronze medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, played a pivotal role in putting Indian wrestling on the global map.
Sanjay Singh expressed his support for honoring Jadhav with the Padma Vibhushan, highlighting the wrestler’s significant contribution as India’s pioneer Olympic medalist. The court has set May 5 for the next hearing and emphasized the importance of promptly addressing this matter. The foundation representing Jadhav’s family has taken legal action due to the lack of response to their appeals for recognition of his achievements.
The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor, is awarded for exceptional service. The court’s intervention is seen as a step towards acknowledging Jadhav’s immense impact on Indian sports. The central government is expected to consider the historical significance of Jadhav’s Olympic triumph in its decision-making process.
