Bajrang Punia, a name synonymous with Indian wrestling, has now stepped into an entirely new arena—politics. The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, who has made history on the wrestling mat, is ready to grapple with the challenges of the political battleground, having joined the Congress party just a month ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. The move has sparked widespread discussion, with speculation that Punia may contest in the elections, marking his formal entry into public life.
Bajrang’s transition from wrestling to politics seems to follow a natural trajectory for the fighter who has never backed down from a challenge. Throughout his career, Punia’s indomitable spirit has carried him through victories on the mat and battles off it, most notably during his leadership in the protest against sexual harassment allegations involving former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. This pivotal moment in his life indicated that Punia was ready to take on a larger role beyond sports.
An Unstoppable Force in Wrestling
Bajrang Punia is one of the most decorated wrestlers in India. He became the first Indian to be ranked world number one in a freestyle wrestling category and is the only Indian wrestler to win four World Championship medals. His career highlights include medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and several other international tournaments.
The 30-year-old wrestler’s rise to fame began at a young age. Born into a family of wrestlers, Bajrang was encouraged by his father, Balwan Singh, to follow the family tradition. By the age of 14, he had joined an akhada (traditional wrestling training ground) and quickly rose through the ranks to represent India on the international stage. Known for his aggression, determination, and technical prowess, Punia’s wrestling career is nothing short of extraordinary.
But despite his success on the mat, Bajrang Punia’s rebellious streak has been evident throughout his career. He has never shied away from speaking out against injustice, whether it was regarding sports administration or national issues. His willingness to challenge the system and take principled stands is what ultimately led him into activism.
From Activist to Politician
The turning point in Punia’s journey came in January 2022, when he, along with fellow wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, took to the streets of Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. They accused Singh of sexually harassing women wrestlers and demanded his removal as WFI chief. The protest soon turned into a mass movement, garnering support from farmers, women’s rights organizations, students, and eventually political figures. Punia, as one of the leaders of this protest, became the face of defiance in Indian sports.
While many admired Bajrang’s courage in standing up for justice, his detractors called him an opportunist, accusing him of capitalizing on the situation for political gain. However, Punia’s stance remained clear—he was fighting for a cause larger than himself. “It’s about justice for the women wrestlers, and it’s about cleaning up the system,” he would often reiterate during interviews.
The prolonged protest meant that Bajrang could not dedicate much time to his training for the Paris Olympics, a decision that likely cost him another Olympic medal. But Punia had already achieved more than most athletes ever do, and his activism seemed to offer him a new purpose beyond wrestling.
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A New Arena: The Political Battlefield
By joining the Congress party, Bajrang Punia has officially entered a new ‘dangal’ (battle), one where the stakes are just as high, but the opponents are different. Politics will require the same qualities he showed on the wrestling mat—determination, resilience, and strategy. While he hasn’t publicly declared whether he will contest in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, his move to join Congress strongly suggests that he is ready to play an active role in shaping the political landscape of his home state.
Punia’s shift to politics also aligns with his previous activism. He has used his social media platforms to voice his opinions on various issues, including the farmers’ protests, flooding in Haryana, and even national incidents like rape cases. His readiness to take a stand on critical issues demonstrates that he sees himself as more than just an athlete; he is someone who wants to contribute to society at large.
What’s Next for Bajrang Punia?
As Bajrang gears up for his political journey, questions arise about what lies ahead for him. Will he be able to bring the same discipline and commitment to politics that he did to wrestling? Can he maintain his clean image and principles in a field often marked by corruption and compromise? These are the challenges he will face as he moves forward.
For now, Bajrang Punia seems determined to make his mark in this new phase of his life. Whether he succeeds or not, one thing is clear—he is not afraid of a fight, whether it’s on the mat or in the political arena.
