‘If I join the BJP, my bans will be lifted’: Bajrang Punia on NADA suspension | India News

Bajrang Punia (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Master wrestler and Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia In his decision on Wednesday, he said: National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) was a retaliatory move by the government to ban him, claiming that this would be reversed if he joined the BJP.
Punia was suspended for four years by NADA for allegedly refusing to provide a sample. drug test during the national team selection trials on March 10 this year. NADA first suspended him on April 23, and the sport’s world body, United World Wrestling (UWW), also issued a suspension.
However, Bajrang denied that he refused the drug test and said, “I have said in the past that I did not refuse to give samples to NADA. When they visited my home to do the doping test, they came with an expired kit. December 2023). I also posted this on social media.”

Bajrang, who joined the Congress Party along with wrestler Vinesh Phogat earlier this year, revealed that expired jerseys were provided during the testing. “You cannot give an expiration kit to any player, for me, my team was also there, they saw it. They came with expiration kits dated 2020, 2021, 2022. I gave my urine sample,” he said. However, later my team detected that the kit had expired and we took a video of the kit and emailed NADA to inform them of the error. But they did not admit their mistakes.”
Bajrang claimed that the suspension was linked to his participation in protests against BJP politician and former Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president was arrested for alleged sexual assault against female wrestlers. “I also feel like they are trying to take revenge for our protest in support of female wrestlers because all institutions fall under the purview of the government.” he said.
“I have been competing for 10-12 years and have given examples in all tournaments and Indian camps. But the government’s aim is to break us, to make us bow down to them. If I join the BJP.” “Then I think all my bans will be lifted.”
Bajrang’s suspension prevents him from competing or applying for coaching positions abroad until April 22, 2028.