NEW DELHI: The Sports Ministry on Friday acknowledged Bajrang Punia‘s personal decision to return his Padma Shri award in protest against Sanjay Singh‘s election as Wrestling Federation of India president.
Despite recognising the personal nature of his choice, the ministry expressed its intention to persuade him to reconsider the decision.

Bajrang, an Olympic medallist, opted to return the honour a day after Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, secured the position of president at WFI.In Thursday’s election, Sanjay emerged victorious as the president of WFI, leading the panel supported by Brij Bhushan to win 13 out of the 15 posts.
Following Sanjay’s election, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang, and Vinesh Phogat held a press conference. During the conference, Sakshi, a bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, declared her intention to quit the sport as a form of protest.
But ministry sources said the WFI elections were conducted in a free and transparent manner.
“It is Bajrang Punia’s personal decision to return Padma Shri. The WFI elections were held in fair and democratic manner,” a ministry official told PTI.

“We will still try to persuade Bajrang to reverse his decision to return Padma Shri,” he added.
Bajrang on Friday tried to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hand over a protest letter, where he mentioned about returning his Padma Shri award.
But he was stopped at Kartavya Path by Delhi Police officials since he didn’t have any prior appointment.
(With PTI Inputs)