The wrestling fraternity in India has been in turmoil, prompting Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia to take a bold step of returning the prestigious Padma Shri award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a mark of protest. This decision came after Sanjay Singh, a close associate of Brij Bhushan Singh, was elected as the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), sparking discontent within the wrestling community.
Expressing his dismay over the recent developments in the WFI, Punia penned a letter to Prime Minister Modi, outlining the reasons behind his decision to return the award. In the heartfelt letter, he expressed anguish over the plight of female wrestlers who felt compelled to quit the sport due to safety concerns, despite receiving prestigious honors for their achievements. Punia highlighted his own sense of guilt for not being able to address this issue and conveyed that these accolades were now causing him more distress than pride.
This protest came on the heels of 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik's emotional announcement of quitting wrestling following Sanjay Singh's election as the WFI President. Malik, visibly upset, removed her wrestling shoes and declared her decision to step away from the sport she loved.
In contrast, Brij Bhushan Singh, undeterred by the controversy surrounding his close associates, celebrated his election victory as a triumph for the wrestlers of the country. He expressed gratitude to the wrestlers and electors, hoping that the wrestling activities, halted during the protests, would resume under the new leadership.
He acknowledged the 11-month halt in wrestling activities due to the protests and anticipated a swift revival, aiming for stellar performances in the upcoming Olympics.
The wrestling community's rift and the resignation of notable athletes like Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia's decision to return the Padma Shri award underscore the deep-seated concerns within the sport's administration and its impact on athletes' safety and career aspirations.
(With Agency Inputs)
