Sports mirror society just like any other aspect of culture. It can act as a mechanism for both political and societal change. It does not exist in a vacuum and just functioning in isolation from what is happening around the world is definitely not how it's supposed to be.

Sportspersons are influential public figures who are likely to make an impression on the country's youth. Their stand on issues, other than sports can undoubtedly influence the minds of their fans.

So, when they distance themselves from important issues prevailing in the society, they unknowingly tell the youth that it is probably okay not to have an opinion. That it is okay to continue living within your own walls, and not engage.

However, one Indian sportsman has been breaking the barriers and setting an example over the years. Yogeshwar Dutt, who has been a prominent voice amongst Indian sportspersons, has once again taken a muscular stand off the ring by refusing to accept dowry from his in-laws.

The Olympic medallist, who will tie the nuptial knot with Sheetal Sharma on 16 January, accepted Re 1 as 'shagun' and refused any other form of gift from the bride's family during his engagement in Sonipat.

सनातन धर्म में किसी भी शुभ अवसर पर शगुन या नेग दिया जाता है,मैंने एक रुपये का शगुन स्वीकार किया है ना कि दहेज।शब्दों के चुनाव ठीक से करे। https://t.co/5hwiEWu1Fb

— Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) January 15, 2017

"I saw my family struggle to collect dowry for the girls of the family. 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," the 34-year-old Indian wrestler said.

But, this isn't the first time Yogeshwar has acted on issues other than sports. The wrestling maverick, over the years, has been sharing his high set of principles and a very strong sense of right.

JNU Uproar

किन लोगों के लिए सेना के जवान जान की बाज़ी लगा रहे हैं और किन लोगों के गर्व के लिए खिलाड़ी दिन रात पसीना बहा रहे हैं pic.twitter.com/hMqKNdjxkE

— Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) February 13, 2016

During the nationwide uproar sparked by some anti-national elements in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Yogeshwar didn't shy away from voicing his opinion. Unlike the cricketers and a majority of other sportsmen for that matter, it was clear that Yogeshwar wasn't going to be content just wrestling bodies but was interested in wrestling minds by joining the debate.

The Indian wrestler wrote a patriotic poem to criticise the alleged anti-national activities on the JNU campus and shared it on the social media. In his poem, the London Olympics bronze medallist compared 'anti-national elements' to Mahmud of Ghazni and even questioned their Right to Expression when they choose to demean the country.

Dutt also accused the students and their supporters of dishonouring the sacrifice of Indian soldiers, including Lance Naik Hanamanthappa - one of the 10 soldiers who died in an avalanche in Siachen in February, 2016.

Bengaluru Mass Molestation

pic.twitter.com/My2vpYE84r

— Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) January 4, 2017

When the disturbing videos of Bengaluru's mass molestation case surfaced, the Indian wrestler was quick to rally behind the victims and condemned the shameful act. Voicing the popular notion about the heinous incident, Yogeshwar took to social media and shared his video message.

London Olympics Medal Upgrade

Russian wrestler Besik Kudukhov, who died in a car crash in 2013, failed a WADA dope test conducted on his sample from 2012 before Rio Games. As a result, Yogeshwar, who had bagged a bronze medal in men's 60-kg freestyle category in London, joined Sushil Kumar as the other silver-medal wrestler from the 2012 London Games.

However, Yogeshwar wasn't keen to collect the upgraded silver medal on humanitarian grounds. "Besik Kudukhov shandaar pehelwaan the (Besik Kudukhov was a magnificent wrestler). Unke mirtyu ke baad dope test mein fail ho jana bahut dukht hai (His dope test returning positive after his death is very sad). Main khiladi ke roop mein main unka sammaan karta hoon (As a wrestler, I respect him)," Yogeshwar wrote on his twitter handle.

Besik Kudukhov शानदार पहलवान थे। उनका मृत्यु के पश्चात dope test में fail हो जाना दुखद हैं। मैं खिलाड़ी के रूप में उनका सम्मान करता हूँ।

— Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) August 31, 2016

"Agar ho sake toh yeh medal unhi ke paas rehne diya jaaye (If possible he must be allowed to keep the medal). Unke pariwar ke liye bhi samaan purna hoga (It will keep his family's honour intact). Mere liye manaviya samvedana sarvopari hai (For me humanity is above everything else)," he added.

अगर हो सके तो ये मेडल उन्ही के पास रहने दिया जाए। उनके परिवार के लिए भी सम्मानपूर्ण होगा। मेरे लिए मानवीय संवेदना सर्वोपरि है।

— Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) August 31, 2016