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.

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.

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.