Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt Refuses Dowry, Accepts Re 1 as ‘Shagun’

Star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt during a ceremony ahead of his marriage with Sheetal, daughter of Jai Bhagwan Sharma, a Congress leader in Sonepat on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

One of India’s celebrated wrestlers, and bronze medal winner at the 2012 London Olympics, Yogeshwar Dutt, is all set to tie the knot on 16 January.

But this time, he is in the news not for his wrestling skills but for setting an example by not accepting dowry. He refused to take any dowry from his in-laws and instead accepted Re 1 as “shagun” from the girl’s family.

Dutt is all set to tie the knot with Sheetal, the daughter of Haryana’s Congress politician Jaibhagwan Sharma.

“I saw my family struggle to collect dowry for the girls of the family,” said Yogeshwar in an interview to Times of India.

“As a result, I decided on two things while growing up — I will excel in wrestling and I will not accept dowry. My first dream has been realised and now it is time to keep my second promise,” Dutt said.

(Source: The Indian Express)