Bajrang Punia: An Uphill Battle for Wrestlers and Unity

Introduction

Bajrang Punia, the esteemed bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, recently took to social media to share a letter he had written to the Sports Minister. The letter, addressed to the Sports Minister, highlights the concerns of protesting wrestlers who have requested additional time to prepare for the upcoming Asian Games and World Championship, rather than being excluded from the trials. Bajrang Punia emphasizes the importance of unity among wrestlers and expresses his apprehensions regarding the exclusion of six wrestlers, indirectly targeting his coach Yogeshwar Dutt, who has raised questions about the decision. This article delves into the ongoing conflict, the wrestlers’ request for time, and the need for unity among wrestlers.

The Wrestlers’ Plea for Additional Time

In the letter shared by Bajrang Punia, six prominent wrestlers—Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, Satyawart Kadian, Jitender Kumar, and Sangeeta Phogat—approached the Sports Minister with a plea for additional time to prepare for the Asian Games 2023 and World Championship 2023 trials. These athletes, deeply committed to their sport, expressed their inability to adequately practice due to their involvement in protests over the past six months. The wrestlers understand the gravity of the situation and seek an extension of the trials to ensure they can participate at their best. The letter proposes conducting the trials after August 10th, allowing the athletes sufficient time to prepare.

Unity Among Wrestlers: A Crucial Component

Bajrang Punia underscores the need for unity among wrestlers in his letter to the Sports Minister. He recognizes that divisiveness can be detrimental to the sport and emphasizes the importance of solidarity. The bronze medalist, a respected figure within the wrestling community, urges fellow athletes to come together and stand united against any attempts to sow discord among them. Bajrang’s call for unity echoes throughout the letter, resonating with the shared aspirations of wrestlers to uplift the sport.

Yogeshwar Dutt’s Concerns and Allegations

Yogeshwar Dutt, a former wrestler and coach, has questioned the decision made by the IOA’s panel regarding the exclusion of certain wrestlers. He has raised concerns over the possibility of these athletes opposing the trials solely to secure exemptions. Yogeshwar, in a bid to seek justice, urges junior wrestlers, their coaches, and parents to voice their dissent against this perceived injustice. However, Bajrang Punia, along with Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, who have actively protested against former Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, clarifies that they have never demanded any exemptions from the trials, dispelling the allegations made by Yogeshwar Dutt.

The Ongoing Conflict with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

The conflict between Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India, and the wrestlers continues to escalate. Bajrang Punia contends that if Yogeshwar Dutt had concerns about the trials, he should have approached the Sports Minister rather than resorting to sharing old screenshots and attempting to tarnish Bajrang’s reputation. This clash between the two wrestling figures intensifies, with Yogeshwar making disparaging remarks about his disciple, Bajrang, while Bajrang counters by accusing Yogeshwar of spreading venom. The battle between Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the wrestlers persists.