Bajrang Punia to return Padma Shri award as protest against WFI elections

Earlier, Sakshi Malik announced her retirement in Protest.

In a shocking move, wrestler Bajrang Punia announced on Friday that he is returning his Padma Shri award, the fourth highest civilian honor in India, in protest against the controversial election of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief. Punia, who won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said he was disappointed with the way the WFI handled the allegations of sexual harassment against its former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

“I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to announce that. This is my statement,” Punia tweeted, along with a copy of his letter to PM Narendra Modi. In his letter, Punia said he joined the protest of the women wrestlers who accused Brij Bhushan of sexually harassing them in January this year. He said the government assured them of strong action, but nothing happened even after three months.

Punia said he and other wrestlers took to the streets again in April, demanding that the police file an FIR against Brij Bhushan. He claimed that Brij Bhushan used his influence to silence 12 of the 19 complainants, leaving only seven women wrestlers to fight for justice. He said he felt betrayed by the WFI, which elected Brij Bhushan’s close aide Sanjay Singh as its new president on Thursday.

Punia’s decision came a day after wrestler Sakshi Malik, who won the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, announced her retirement from the sport in protest against the WFI elections. Malik, along with Punia and Vinesh Phogat, another Olympic medalist, addressed a press conference on Thursday, where she slammed the WFI for ignoring the voice of the wrestlers.

“We fought from our heart but if a man like Brij Bhushan, his business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I give up wrestling. From today onwards you will not see me on the mat,” Malik said, as she kept her boot with tears in her eyes.

The WFI elections were held on Thursday, where Sanjay Singh won 13 of the 15 posts on which elections were held, defeating Anita Sheoran. Sanjay Singh is a businessman and a politician, who is considered to be Brij Bhushan’s right-hand man. He has no background in wrestling, and his election has raised questions about the transparency and credibility of the WFI.

The WFI has not responded to the allegations of sexual harassment or the protests of the wrestlers. It has also not commented on Punia’s decision to return his Padma Shri award, which he received in 2019 for his achievements in wrestling. Punia is one of the most decorated wrestlers in India, having won multiple medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and the Olympics.

Punia’s move has sparked a wave of support. Many have also urged the government to intervene and take action against the WFI and Brij Bhushan.

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