Bajrang Punia’s Resignation from Padma Shri in Protest Over WFI Chief Election Creates Ripples

India’s ace wrestler, Bajrang Punia, made headlines on Friday when he announced his decision to return his Padma Shri award. This move came after the election of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s aide as the president of the wrestling federation. In a symbolic act of protest, Punia chose not to take the medal back home, instead placing it on the pavement near Kartavya Path in central Delhi. Earlier in the day, the Olympic medallist took to social media platform X to express his intention to return the Padma Shri. This decision followed Sakshi Malik’s emotional press conference, where she tearfully announced her retirement from wrestling. Both Punia and Malik were part of a larger protest by wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faced allegations of harassment. Punia voiced his disappointment and accused the government of breaking their promise to the wrestlers, which was made during the protest.