Wrestler Bajrang Punia to return Padma Shri in protest against WFI elections

New Delhi: Rio Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia has made a significant gesture of protest by writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X, announcing his decision to return the prestigious Padma Shri award.

This act of protest stems from the recent Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, which saw the election of Sanjay Singh, an ally of the controversial sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as the president.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Punia highlighted the challenges faced by wrestlers in the country, particularly referencing the women wrestlers who protested against Brij Bhushan Singh for alleged sexual harassment earlier in January. He detailed the subsequent protests and the promises made by the government for action, expressing disappointment over the lack of any FIR against Singh even after three months.

"I am returning my Padma Shri award to the Prime Minister. This is a letter to say that," Punia posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Dear Prime Minister ji, hope your health is well. You must be busy in many work but I am writing this to draw your attention to what is happening to the wrestlers of the country. You must be aware that the women wrestlers of the country started a protest in January this year against Brij Bhushan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment. I too had joined their protest. The protest stopped after the government promised strong action," wrote the Commonwealth Games medal-winning wrestler.

"But even after three months, there was no FIR against Brij Bhushan. So we took to the streets in April again so that the Delhi police would at least file an FIR against him. There were 19 complainants in January but the number came down to 7 by April. This means Brij Bhushan exerted his influence and forced the other 12 wrestlers to leave their protests, he added.

Punia underscored the continued pressure faced during their 40-day protest, narrating how they were discouraged from protesting further and eventually received assurances of justice from a minister in the cabinet and the Union home minister, which led them to cease their protests.

"Our protest went on for 40 days. There was much pressure on us during those days. Our protest site was vandalized and we were also not allowed to protest anymore. We did not know what to do next so we went to immerse our medals in the Ganga. Then we were stopped by the farmer leaders and coaches. At that time a minister from your cabinet called us up and assured us justice. We also met the Union home minister who also promised us of justice. So, we stopped our protest," he further said.

However, the recent election outcome, where Singh's influence reinstated his control over the federation, resulted in Sakshi Malik's announcement of retirement, leaving Punia and his fellow wrestlers deeply distressed. The wrestler explained the agony felt by the wrestling community, expressing concern over the departure of a woman wrestler due to security concerns and the negative impact on the empowerment of women athletes.

"But in the election of the WFI on December 21, the federation came under Brij Bhushan once again. He himself said he would prevail over the federation like he did always. Coming under tremendous pressure, Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from wrestling. We shed tears the entire night. We did not understand what to do, or where to go. The government has given us a lot. I was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2019. I also received the Arjuna, Khel Ratna award. When I got these awards, I was on cloud nine. But today the sadness weighs more. And the reason is a woman wrestler left the sport because of her security, he added.

Despite the honors he has received, including the Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, and Khel Ratna, Punia conveyed his inability to retain the Padma Shri while witnessing the ordeal faced by women wrestlers. Thus, he decided to return the award as a symbol of his solidarity and protest against the current situation.

"Sports have empowered our women athletes and changed their lives but the situation is such that the women who could have been the brand ambassadors of beti bachao, beti padhao are now leaving the sport. And we, the wrestlers who were ‘awarded’ could not do anything. I can’t live my life as a Padma Shri awardee while our women wrestlers are insulted. Hence I return this award to you," the statement concluded.

The WFI elections on December 21 saw Sanjay Singh elected as the president after defeating Anita Sheoran. This victory prompted Sakshi Malik's announcement of retirement from wrestling. The move has drawn attention and concern from other wrestlers, like Vinesh Phogat, who highlighted the potential consequences and expressed disappointment over individuals like Singh acquiring such positions of power within the wrestling federation.

After the election results were announced, Sakshi told the media: "We fought this battle with our heart. In the end, we slept for 40 days on the roads but I’d like to thank the several people of our country who came to support us during the protests earlier this year. If Brij Bhushan Singh’s business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling."

She walked out in tears with those present at the venue appealing to her to reconsider her decision.

Vinesh Phogat also spoke to reporters on Thursday and said: "This is Brij Bhushan’s right-hand man. He’s more special than his own son. Now that he is president, the coming batch of women wrestlers will also fall prey to them. What has happened behind closed doors will happen in the open. From the start, (Brij Bhushan’s) their camp was saying they will come into power. We knew what their position was. It is sad that people like these are getting these positions."