Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia has announced his decision to return his Padma Shri award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This gesture is in response to the recent election of Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of Brij Bhushan Sharan, as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India.
Following Sakshi Malik’s announcement of retirement as a form of protest against the election of a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Bajrang Punia has expressed his discontent. The esteemed wrestler penned a letter to PM Modi, highlighting the persistent issues within the wrestling community and the need for government intervention.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP MP and former chief of the wrestling body, faced allegations of sexual harassment by at least 12 women wrestlers. Bajrang Punia was among the athletes who participated in protests against Singh, demanding justice for the victims.
In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, Bajrang Punia expressed concern over the lack of action against Brij Bhushan despite promises made by the government. He emphasized the need for justice and drew attention to the impact on women athletes, citing Sakshi Malik’s retirement as a poignant example.
Bajrang Punia, after making the announcement, reached Kartavya Path and placed his Padma Shri medallion on the footpath outside the Prime Minister’s residence. This symbolic act serves as a powerful statement against the perceived injustice in the wrestling community.
Bajrang Punia clarified that his protest is not against the government but an individual, expressing his lack of faith in the system. He emphasized that the fight is for the respect and security of women athletes and vowed to continue his preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan, won the election to the wrestling federation with a landslide victory. Defeating Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran, Singh received 40 votes against only 7 for Sheoran.
Bajrang Punia, in an emotional letter to PM Modi, highlighted Brij Bhushan’s post-election statement asserting continued dominance. Punia attributed mental pressure to Sakshi Malik’s retirement and revealed that the protesting wrestlers spent the whole night in tears over the election results.