Bajrang Punia, the celebrated wrestler and newly appointed working chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, has recently been the target of a serious threat. On September 8, 2024, Bajrang reported receiving a death threat via WhatsApp from an international phone number. The threatening message demanded that he "leave Congress" or face severe consequences, raising significant concerns about his safety and security.
The message, described as alarming, issued a stark ultimatum: “This is our final message. We will show you before the polls how powerful we are. You can file a complaint wherever you want, but this is our first and last warning.” The threatening communication implied that non-compliance would result in trouble for Bajrang and his family, further intensifying the gravity of the situation.
Sonipat SP Ravindra Singh confirmed the receipt of Bajrang’s complaint and stated that an investigation is underway. “An unknown person has given a threat. An investigation is underway,” he said, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat and the authorities' commitment to ensuring Bajrang's safety.
This threat emerged just two days after Bajrang Punia, along with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat, joined the Congress party. Bajrang’s appointment as the working chairman of the Congress’s farmer wing and Vinesh’s candidacy for the Julana Assembly seat marked a significant political shift. The move had not gone unnoticed, and both wrestlers faced immediate backlash from various quarters.
The timing of the threat coincides with vocal criticism from former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Singh, who faces allegations of sexual harassment from wrestlers, publicly targeted Bajrang and Vinesh following their political entry. Singh suggested that Vinesh’s disqualification at the Paris Olympics was a form of divine retribution and implied that Vinesh and Bajrang could easily be defeated in the upcoming Haryana elections.
In response to Singh’s derogatory comments, Bajrang condemned the former Wrestling Federation of India chief’s views, asserting that they reflected a troubling mentality. He criticized those celebrating Vinesh’s disqualification, accusing them of lacking patriotism and disrespecting the sport and its athletes.
The wrestlers’ involvement in protests against Singh in 2023, which led to his legal troubles, has only heightened the political stakes. Singh has denied the allegations against him, claiming he was not present in Delhi on the day of the incident. The threat against Bajrang adds another layer of tension and underscores the volatile intersection of sports and politics in India.
As Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat navigate their new roles within Congress, the threat against Bajrang highlights the intense pressures and dangers that can accompany political activism. The ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the origins of the threat and ensure the safety of Bajrang and his family, as they continue their involvement in the political arena.
