Advertisement
In a bold move echoing the recent wrestling federation controversy, Bajrang Punia, the accomplished wrestler, has chosen to return his Padma Shri award in protest of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief election.
This decision comes on the heels of wrestler Sakshi Malik’s retirement, who cited similar concerns over the appointment of Sanjay Singh, a close aide to Brij Bhushan, as the WFI chief.
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
Bajrang Punia Returns Padma Shri Award in Protest Against WFI Chief Election. Bajrang Punia conveyed his decision in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing his stance on the matter. “I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to announce that. This is my statement,” tweeted Bajrang Punia, making his protest public.
The controversy surrounding the WFI chief election has stirred significant dissent within the wrestling community, prompting influential figures like Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia to take a principled stand against what they perceive as a contentious appointment. The return of prestigious awards adds a poignant dimension to the ongoing debate, highlighting the significance of sportsmanship and ethical leadership within sports federations.
