New Delhi: Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia is facing massive backlash on social media after a video of him allegedly standing on the tricolour sparked outrage. Punia can be seen standing on a sticker of the Indian flag on the bonnet of a vehicle during the celebrations at the Delhi airport on Vinesh Phogat’s arrival home from Paris following the conclusion of the 2024 Olympics.
Vinesh arrived in Delhi to a grand reception at the Delhi airport following her heroics in Paris as fans turned up in large numbers to welcome her. The likes of Punia, Sakshi Malik, Congress leader Deepender Hooda and former India boxer Vijender Singh were also present at the airport to welcome the 29-year-old wrestler, who scripted history in Paris by becoming the first Indian woman to reach a wrestling final at the Olympics.
Vinesh failed to return home with a medal after being disqualified from the competition due to being overweight by 100 grams in her final weigh-in ahead of her gold medal match. Nonetheless, she was given a hero’s welcome back home. Bajrang, who was at the airport to welcome his fellow wrestler, landed in trouble after his controversial gesture went viral.
In a video doing rounds on social media, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist can be seen standing on the car bonnet with the tricolour between his shoes. The video has left many furious with people calling out the 30-year-old wrestler for ignoring the fact that the Indian flag was beneath his shoes while he was standing on the vehicle which was bought to carry Phogat and others on her return home.
Twitter slams Bajrang Punia for standing on Tiranga:
Bajrang Punia standing on the Tricolour stickers.
Deepender Singh Hooda is not even stopping him. pic.twitter.com/zJIJDTGYhP
— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) August 17, 2024
SHOCKING NEWS 🚨 Bajrang Punia stood on Tiranga. pic.twitter.com/CQjsemDgqw
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) August 17, 2024
He’s standing on the Indian Flag. Shameless @BajrangPunia pic.twitter.com/fvLm2ggqFF
— GSK (@GSVKapoor) August 17, 2024
First disrespects Padma Shri and Now stands on National Flag 😡
Bajrang punia have some shame! pic.twitter.com/E2hNeZAEfn
— Aditya (@Adityaonabird) August 17, 2024
Vinesh Phogat breaks down on return home
Punia was at the Delhi airport to welcome Vinesh alongside Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik. The trio spearheaded protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment against him last year. The trio had an emotional reunion as Vinesh broke down in tears after receiving a rousing reception on her arrival from Paris.
Vinesh was assured of at least a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 after storming into the final of the women’s 50kg freestyle category. However, she was stripped of her medal after getting disqualified on the day of her gold medal match due to being overweight by 100 grams. Vinesh was barred from competing in the final.
She later filed an appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), demanding a joint silver medal for making it to the final while being in the permissible weight limit. However, her appeal was rejected by the CAS, leaving her without a medal.
Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia has sparked a controversy after a video went viral on social media where he was seen standing on the tricolour on a vehicle during the celebrations at Delhi airport on Vinesh Phogat’s return from Paris. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
