In a significant development in Indian sports on December 22, Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia abandoned his Padma Shri award in protest against the newly elected panel of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Punia and fellow wrestlers had vowed to protest if Sanjay Singh, an aide of the former WFI president and BJP Member of Parliament Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan, won the elections. The elections saw Singh become the president of WFI, prompting Punia to return his Padma Shri.
On the evening of December 22, Punia, along with his aides, approached the footpath near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence and abandoned his Padma Shri. Despite requests from authorities to take back the award, Punia refused and left the honor on the footpath. He expressed his protest against the newly elected WFI panel, particularly objecting to Sanjay Singh’s appointment.
Punia took to social media to inform about his decision, addressing a letter to the Prime Minister highlighting the wrestlers’ concerns. The protests initially began in January 2023, with top wrestlers, including Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, demanding the removal of then-President Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment charges. The protests gained momentum throughout the year, with wrestlers advocating for a change in leadership within WFI. The recent elections and the victory of Sanjay Singh have reignited the controversy, leading Punia to take a symbolic stand by returning his Padma Shri award in protest.
This development adds another layer of complexity to the tumultuous year for the Wrestling Federation of India, with athletes actively participating in protests against the leadership and expressing their dissatisfaction with the newly elected officials.
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