The appointment of Sanjay Singh as Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president has triggered the growing resistance from the wrestling community. Following the retirement of Sakshee Malikkh on Thursday, Indias Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia has returned his prestigious Padma Shri award today. Sanjay Singh is a close aide of the outgoing chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is alleged in sexual harassment of wrestlers.बजरंग पुनिया ने अपना पद्मश्री सम्मान प्रधानमंत्री आवास के सामने फ़ुथपाथ पर रख दिया है pic.twitter.com/KFSuNgJ5Y3— Mandeep Punia (@mandeeppunia1) December 22, 2023Bajrang Punia places his Padmashree award on the footpathMoreover, Bajrang Punia placed his Padmashri award in front of the Prime Ministers residence. The video is going viral on social media platforms. बजरंग पुनिया ने अपना पद्मश्री सरकार को लौटाया..कहा – हम सबने रात रोते हुए गुजरी है। यह सम्मान मुझे कचोट रहा है। ऐसी जिंदगी कचोटेगी ताउम्र मुझे। इसलिए सम्मान वापिस कर रहा हूं।। https://t.co/yDeYnGCtF6 pic.twitter.com/CReVcHxhMJ— Ajay Jha (@Ajay_reporter) December 22, 2023Punias decision follows Maliks emotional announcement to quit the sport altogether, citing Singhs election as her reason. In a heartfelt letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punia highlighted the ongoing struggle of Indian wrestlers against the WFI administration and its alleged culture of abuse.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, 2023Bajrang Punias letter to PM Modi You must be aware of the wrestlers protest that began in January against Brij Bhushan Singh. Despite promises of action, no FIR was registered for months, forcing us to take to the streets again in April, Punia wrote, underlining the lack of tangible progress in addressing the wrestlers concerns. He further expressed anguish over the alleged intimidation tactics used against the protestors attempts to silence their voices.The simmering protet reached a boiling point with Singh won in a one sided affair with 40 votes in the WFI elections. He left former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran far behind with only 7 votes. Notably, the elections were delayed twice amidst controversies surrounding the federations handling of the sexual harassment allegations.With someone like Brij Bhushans close associate now at the helm, our hope for justice feels shattered, Punia stated, repeating Maliks sentiment. However, Punia also remainded the assurances from a member of the ruling party and Home Minister Amit Shah. We were assured that we will get justice and Brij Bhushan will be held accountable, he revealed. Whether these promises will be implemented into concrete action remains to be seen, but the wrestlers bold protest and Punias symbolic gesture have undoubtedly put Indian wrestling in the spotlight, demanding immediate and effective reforms.
