Bajrang Punia to return Padma Shri: letter send to Prime Minister; Wrestlers intensify protest after Sakshi Malik's resignation

NEW DELHI: Wrestler Bajrang Punia to return his Padma Shri in protest of the election of Sanjay Singh, a confidante of sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Singh, as president of the Wrestling Federation of India. Punia sent a letter to the Prime Minister saying he is returning the Padma Shri award.

Punia wrote in X that he is returning the respect the country has given him. The letter sent to the Prime Minister has also been shared with this. The Union Sports Minister had assured that Brij Bhushan and his supporters would be removed from the wrestling federation. Punia says that the decision was made in the context of non-compliance.

Wrestler Sakshi Malik had announced her retirement yesterday in protest against the election of Sanjay Singh as the President of the Wrestling Federation. Sakshi Malik broke down in tears and announced her retirement by taking off her wrestling shoes and laying it on the table.

A protest was held in Delhi led by Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Poonia demanding the arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh for allegedly sexually assaulting seven wrestlers, including a minor.

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