New Delhi, December 24, 2023: In a resolute stand, accomplished wrestler and Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia affirmed on Sunday that he will not reconsider reclaiming the Padma Shri award he returned amid the ongoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) election controversy. Punia emphasized that he would contemplate retrieving the honor only when he perceives that justice has been duly served.
“I will not take back Padma Shri. I will think about it only after justice is delivered,” stated Punia, as reported by news agency PTI.
The decision to return the prestigious award came just a day after fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik announced her retirement in protest against Sanjay Singh’s election as the WFI chief. In response to the election outcome, Bajrang Punia penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, formally declaring his decision to return the Padma Shri award. He tweeted, “I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to announce that. This is my statement.”
Following the social media announcement, Bajrang Punia attempted to place his Padma Shri award on the pavement outside the Prime Minister’s residence. However, he was intercepted by police officials at Delhi’s Kartavya Path.
Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, who has been a prominent figure in the wrestlers’ protest against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, emotionally announced her retirement during a press conference in the national capital. Her decision came in the wake of Sanjay Singh’s election, seen as an ally of Brij Bhushan, as the new president of the wrestling federation.
Vinesh Phogat, a medallist at the World Championships and Asian Games, echoed profound disappointment, shedding light on the ongoing struggle within the wrestling community and expressing concerns about its future.
“There are minimal expectations, but we hope that we get justice. It’s saddening that the future of wrestling is in the dark. To whom shall we convey our grief?… We are still fighting while we are training,” Phogat remarked.
Earlier this year, a group of top wrestlers initiated a significant demonstration, demanding the removal of former WFI head Brij Bhushan, who resigned from his position amid allegations of sexual harassment involving female wrestlers. Legal proceedings are currently underway.
In a surprising move, the sports ministry suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) following the swift announcement by the newly elected body to organize the U-15 and U-20 nationals “without allowing wrestlers sufficient preparation time.” This decision followed closely on the heels of Olympian Sakshi Malik’s emotional retirement, wherein she alleged that the government reneged on its promise not to appoint an associate of Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as an office-bearer within the federation. The sports ministry cited violations of both the WFI constitution and the National Sports Development Code by the governing body as the grounds for suspension.
+ There are no comments
Add yours