Wrestler Virender Singh, known as 'Goonga Pahalwan,' and Bajrang Punia, prominent names in Indian wrestling, have declared their intentions to return their Padma Shri awards in solidarity with Sakshee Malikkh, who announced her retirement from the sport after an aide of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh succeeded him in the top post.
Virender Singh expressed his solidarity with Sakshee Malikkh and urged other top athletes to take a stand.
He said, "I will also return the Padma Shri for my sister and the country's daughter, Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, I am proud of your daughter and my sister Sakshee Malikkh... But I would also request the top players of the country to also give their decision."
"The parents of the daughters would be concerned that if an Olympic medallist is not given justice, how will we get it? The PM, Vice President, and President all should come and answer why this happened... This raises a lot of questions on the justice system and the democratic structure," he added.
Bajrang Punia, after announcing his decision to return his Padma Shri, expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "When the women wrestlers are not given due respect, I do not deserve this honour either. Our fight is not against the government but against an individual."
The change in WFI leadership, with Sanjay Singh, an aide of Brij Bhushan, succeeding him, has led to backlash from the wrestling fraternity. Sakshee Malikkh and others have accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment, leading to protests earlier this year at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Despite assurances from the government that no aides or relatives of Brij Bhushan would contest subsequent polls, Sanjay Singh's nomination was accepted.
Haryana's Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala urged for rational decision-making amidst the turmoil. He said about wrestlers returning awards, "Emotions should not drive decision-making. Federation elections were held and the results came. It is not right to take such a significant step."