Bajrang Punia steps on tricolor stickers at Vinesh's homecoming in Delhi airport, faces backlash | WATCH

New Delhi: Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia found himself embroiled in controversy after he was spotted standing on a ‘Tiranga’ poster while receiving fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 17, during a grand reception organized to celebrate Vinesh Phogat’s return from the Paris Olympics.

Vinesh Phogat, who was recently disqualified from the gold medal match but had her appeal for a silver medal dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd at the airport. Alongside Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia was present to welcome her, but the celebration took a sudden turn when a video surfaced showing Bajrang standing on the bonnet of a car that displayed a ‘Tiranga’ poster.

It's very disgraceful

— MS SPORTS  (@IFootcric68275) August 17, 2024

Bajrang Punia's national 

In the video, Bajrang Punia can be seen managing the dense crowd and media attention while inadvertently stepping on the Indian national flag poster as the vehicle attempted to navigate through the crowd. While the act appeared unintentional, netizens were quick to criticize him, perceiving it as disrespect towards the national symbol. Social media was flooded with reactions condemning the incident, with many pointing out the need to respect the sanctity of the national flag.

Bajrang Punia standing on the Tricolour stickers.

Deepender Singh Hooda is not even stopping him. pic.twitter.com/zJIJDTGYhP

— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) August 17, 2024

Bajrang Punia stamps on the Indian National Flag!! 🤬🤬 https://t.co/5105oSnhZz

— Mitesh Jain (@MK7786) August 17, 2024

Most shameful act by Bajrang Punia ! Bajrang Punia should be ashamed, he is holding the mic of journalists while standing on our national pride Tiranga'....

We know that Bajrang Punia will get Congress ticket anyway, there is no need to do this to impress the Italian family. pic.twitter.com/qGT6KUsZov

— Aditya Kumar Trivedi (@adityasvlogs) August 17, 2024

देश की शान तिरंगे पर पैर रखकर खड़े हैं Bajrang Punia 😡

अब क्या ही बोलें इस पहलवान को 💔 pic.twitter.com/RUmn8hlPR1

— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) August 17, 2024

Despite the apparent oversight, the video’s circulation sparked a heated debate online, with users calling for accountability. The controversy underscores how small gestures, even when unintentional, can be misinterpreted in today’s hyper-connected digital world.