A prominent Indian wrestler (minus Bajrang Punia) will return one of the country’s highest civilian honors in protest against the election of a federation president in India backed by his predecessor, who is accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers. Reuters reports.

Bajrang Punia returns Padma Shri in protest

Bajrang Punia, the first Indian wrestler to win four medals at the World Championships, received the Padma Shri – the fourth highest civilian award – from the President of India in 2019 for his achievements as a sportsman.

On Friday, Punia shared her letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media X, saying she “couldn’t live with the respect shown by the Indian government at a time when women fighters are being insulted.”

His decision to return the award came a day after Sanjay Singh was elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Singh was supported by former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.

Brij Bhushan Singh denied the allegations against him. His case is pending, officials from Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said.

Protesting women militants said on Thursday that they were shocked that a person supported by Brij Bhushan Singh was allowed to lead the WFI.

Top fighter Sakshi Malik said their protests were ignored and announced her retirement from the sport.

In January, Punia joined protests by women fighters against Brij Bhushan Singh, who is also a federal BJP MP.

In June, Singh was accused of sexually harassing six wrestlers, the sports ministry stripped him of his administrative powers, and the government promised to investigate the allegations and protect female athletes.

United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s global governing body, suspended the WFI following the scandal, according to News.ro.