Bajrang Punia to return Padma Shri Award in protest against WFI Chief Election

• Bajrang Punia to return Padma Shri award in protest against Sanjay Singh's election as WFI chief
• The move follows Sakshi Malik's retirement and addresses concerns about sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan Singh
• Punia highlights the failure to file an FIR and expresses concern over Singh's influence on wrestlers

Wrestler Bajrang Punia has announced his decision to return the Padma Shri award in protest against the recent election of Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan, as the president of the WFI.

This move follows fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik's retirement in objection to Singh's election, where he won 13 out of 15 posts. Punia expressed his dissent on Twitter, stating, "I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to announce that. This is my statement."

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bajrang Punia highlighted the wrestling community's grievances, citing allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan Singh. The letter emphasized the failure to file an FIR against Singh even after months of protests and promised government action.

Punia raised concerns about Singh's influence, noting a decrease in complainants from 19 to 7, suggesting undue pressure on the wrestlers. The wrestlers, including Punia, had initiated protests in January, seeking legal action against Singh, which resumed in April due to the lack of an FIR.