In a shocking development, star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia has announced his decision to return his Padma Shri award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This comes a day after BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s close associate Sanjay Singh was elected President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Bajrang’s announcement closely follows the news of fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik deciding to retire from the sport altogether out of protest and dismay. Sakshi, Bajrang, and Vinesh Phogat had earlier in January launched a massive agitation demanding the ouster of WFI President Brij Bhushan over allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation.
However, the WFI elections saw Brij Bhushan’s loyalist Sanjay Singh convincingly defeat opponent Anita Sheoran by 40 votes to 7. The clean sweep by Singh’s panel, winning 13 out of 15 posts, triggered outrage among the protesting wrestlers.
मैं अपना पद्मश्री पुरस्कार प्रधानमंत्री जी को वापस लौटा रहा हूँ. कहने के लिए बस मेरा यह पत्र है. यही मेरी स्टेटमेंट है। 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/PYfA9KhUg9
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) December 22, 2023
An emotional Sakshi Malik announced her retirement, saying she had lost hope of getting justice and reform in the WFI under the new dispensation. Echoing her sentiments, an aggrieved Bajrang has now conveyed his decision to return his Padma Shri award to PM Modi.
The outcome of the WFI polls has left most wrestlers stunned and delivered a huge blow to hopes of the movement launched by Bajrang, Sakshi, and Vinesh earlier this year. With Brij Bhushan managing to get his close friend elected as President, wrestlers fear the culture of misogyny, corruption, and malpractice in the WFI will continue unchecked.
The dramatic developments have plunged Indian wrestling into chaos and disarray. The possibility of more wrestlers protesting or retiring out of anger cannot be ruled out. The newly elected WFI President Sanjay Singh will have his task cut out to regain the trust of the wrestling fraternity.
