Wrestler Bajrang Punia leaves Padma Shri medal on footpath, video goes viral

After making an announcement to return his Padma Shri Award to the Prime Minister, Wrestler Bajrang Punia on Friday took a march towards the Prime Minister’s residence. However, on the way he placed and left his Padma Shri medal on the footpath near the PM’s residence after he was stopped by the Delhi police at Delhi’s Kartavya Path.

A few videos of the same later went viral on social media dragging severe criticism for Punia for insulting the medal. Wrestler Punia had earlier on Friday announced on X that he would return his Padma Shri award to the PM to mark his protest against the selection of Sanjay Singh as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Social media users criticise Punia for insulting Padma Shri medal

He had said, "I will give the Padma Shri award to anyone who will take it to PM Modi."

"When I reflect on this day, these medals and awards hurt me, and I wonder why we were even given these, when we fought for our daughters and sisters, and we failed. I feel that I am not suitable for this award. The federation was formed to support the players, not to demean and push them to the limits of retirement," said the wrestler.

Meanwhile, sharing one such video on X, an user wrote, “Dharnajeevi Bajrang Punia placed his Padma Shri medal on the footpath in front of PM's residence. Speaks volume about his respect for Bharat. Hope Bajrang Punia returns all cash awards, free taxpayer doles and money that Modi Government spent on his foreign training.”

Dharna jeevi Bajrang Punia placed his Padma Shri medal on the footpath in front of PM's residence. Speaks volume about his respect for Bharat.

Hope @BajrangPunia returns all cash awards, free taxpayer doles and money that Modi govt spent on his foreign trainings. pic.twitter.com/q2Un3OIyOw

— BALA (@erbmjha)

Another user wrote, “Bajrang Punia threw Padma Shri Award medal on the footpath near PM house, he didn't throw the money/cheque received with it though. Padma Awards belong to our country but not to any government. Such people don't even hesitate to insult the country for their political benefits.”