Bajrang Punia Returns Padma Shri Award After Sanjay Singh Becomes WFI President

Olympic-medalist grappler Bajrang Punia has decided to return his Padma Shri award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Sanjay Singh became the new WFI President.

Bajrang posted a note on social media to the Prime Minister and announced his big decision.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bajrang wrote: “Dear PM Ji, hope your health is well. You must be busy in many work but I am writing this to draw your attention to the wrestlers of the country.

“You must be aware that the women wrestlers of the country started a protest in January this year against Brij Bhushan Singh accusing him of sexual harassment. I too joined their protest. The protest stopped after the government promised strong action.”

Expressing his disappointment, the star wrestler added, “But there was no FIR against Brij Bhushan even after three months. We again took to the streets in April so that the police at least file an FIR against him.

“There were 19 complainants in January but the number came down to 7 by April. This means Brij Bhushan exerted his influence on 12 women wrestlers.”

The ace grappler was conferred with the Padma Shree honour in 2019.

Sanjay, a close associate of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh became the new President with his panel winning 13 of the 15 posts in the elections.

Top three wrestlers — Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia — who had aggressively pushed for a change of guard at the federation, were disappointed after a Brij Bhushan loyalist Sanjay became the WFI president.

The top wrestlers had early this year, launched an agitation against Brij Bhushan who they had accused of sexually exploiting women wrestlers. The matter is in court.

Sakshi announced her retirement from wrestling in a press conference on Thursday. She put her wrestling shoes on the table and announced her decision to quit wrestling.

Bajrang also addressed the media on Thursday where he expressed his disappointment on the WFI election results.

“It’s unfortunate that government did not stand by its word that no Brij Bhushan loyalist will contest the WFI elections,” rued Bajrang.

“Following our protest in January, an oversight committee was formed by the ministry. Several female wrestlers had deposed before the panel, following which the sports minister said in front of the media that any person associated with Brij Bhushan will not enter the WFI.

“We waited for the outcome of the oversight committee for three months before starting the protest again. We were fighting for the truth and honour of our sisters and daughters,” said 29-year-old Bajrang.

The Tokyo Games bronze winner said it was a long-drawn battle and 2-3 generations might have to suffer before getting justice.

“The fight we have fought, I feel the next one or two generations will have to continue the fight to get justice. We fought with full strength but the promise the government had made, it could not stand firm on that. Very sad to say that,” he added.