New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia has strongly condemned the four-year ban imposed on him by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), labelling it a product of political conspiracy and personal vendetta.
In an explosive statement on Wednesday, Punia claimed that the action against him was retaliation for his outspoken role in supporting the women wrestlers’ movement, where he fought against exploitation and injustice in the sport.
Taking to social media, Punia accused the BJP government and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) of conspiring to end his career. “This four-year ban is the result of personal animosity and political conspiracy against me,” he wrote. “It’s a direct consequence of the movement we led in support of the women wrestlers, raising our voices against the injustice and exploitation they faced.”
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) had initially suspended Punia on April 23, 2024, for refusing to provide a sample during a doping test at the national selection trials on March 10. The Tokyo Games bronze medallist was also suspended by the World Wrestling Federation in light of the incident.
The 30-year-old, who has been a key figure in Indian wrestling, vehemently denied any wrongdoing related to the doping test that led to the ban. Punia clarified that he had not refused the test but had raised concerns when the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) team arrived with an expired dope kit.
“When the NADA team came to me for the test, the dope kit they had was expired. This was a gross negligence, and I only insisted that the test be conducted with a valid and approved kit. This was necessary to protect my health and career. But, it was deliberately used as a weapon against me,” Punia explained.
Punia further accused the BJP government and the WFI of using the ban to silence him. “The BJP government and the federation have played this trick to trap me and end my career. This decision is not fair, but an attempt to silence me and other players like me,” he asserted.
The wrestler also cast doubt on the impartiality of NADA, claiming that the body was acting at the behest of the government. “This act of NADA has proven that they have nothing to do with fairness. All such institutions are working at the behest of the government. The real motive behind this ban is to silence me and stop me from raising my voice against the wrong,” he said.
Despite the ban, Punia vowed to continue his fight for justice. “Let me make it clear that even if I am suspended for life, I will not stop raising my voice against injustice. This fight is not just mine, but of every player who has been silenced by the system. I will appeal against this decision and will continue to fight for my rights till the last breath,” he concluded.
The suspension bars Punia from competitive wrestling for four years and could impact his future aspirations, including applying for coaching jobs abroad.
NADA clarified also that the suspension period would begin from April 23, 2024, but the time between May 31, 2024, and June 21, 2024—when the provisional suspension was lifted—will not be counted towards the total four-year ineligibility period.
