Wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Friday returned her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards at New Delhi’s Kartavya Path. A gold medalist in both the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, she has returned her awards in protest against the alleged mistreatment of women wrestlers in the country. The athlete placed the medals outside the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Vinesh Phogat was on her way to return the awards when she was halted by the police. As she was stopped, she placed her awards on the Kartavyapath. Phogat had announced her decision to return the awards three days prior.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress, which accused the government of harassing the athlete. The Congress in a social media post stated, “A day of shame for the country. After wrestler Bajrang Punia, now the daughter who brought medals for the country, Vinesh Phogat, has returned her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award outside the Prime Minister’s Office. PM Modi and his government have subjected her to such harassment that she is compelled to take this step today.”