Following Olympic wrestler Bajrang Punia’s decision to return his Padma Shri award, another accomplished wrestler, Virender Singh, has announced his intention to do the same. Virender, a three-time gold medalist in the Deaflympics, took to social media to express his support for fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik, who recently announced her retirement. Sakshi Malik’s decision came in response to the appointment of Sanjay Singh, associated with former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as the new president of the wrestling body.
In a post on his social media account, Virender Singh conveyed his solidarity with Sakshi Malik and criticized the appointment of Sanjay Singh. He stated, “I will also return my Padma Shri for my sister and the country’s daughter. Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, I am proud of your daughter and my sister Sakshi Malik. But I would also request the top players of the country to also give their decision.”
This development comes on the heels of Bajrang Punia’s symbolic act of returning his Padma Shri award. Bajrang Punia placed his award on the footpath at Delhi’s Kartavya Path, explaining that he no longer felt deserving of the honor when women wrestlers were not receiving the respect they deserve. He expressed disappointment that the promises made by the government during a 40-day protest had not been fulfilled. In a letter addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bajrang Punia conveyed his feelings of suffocation under the weight of these honors. “I couldn’t understand where to go, what to do and how to live. The government and the people gave me so much respect. Should I continue to suffocate under the burden of this respect?” Punia questioned.
The wrestlers’ decisions to return their awards highlight the growing discontent and frustration within the wrestling community regarding the treatment of female athletes and the perceived failure of promises made by the government. The symbolic gestures by Bajrang Punia and Virender Singh underscore their concerns about the challenges faced by women wrestlers and the need for meaningful change within the system.
