Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], November 27 (HBTV): Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam criticized wrestler Bajrang Punia over his claims of a 'political conspiracy' behind his four-year ban by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The minister emphasized that NADA operates according to its rules and regulations and does not single out individuals.

Punia alleged that his ban stemmed from his involvement in protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its former president Brij Bhushan Singh, who faced allegations of sexual misconduct. The protests gained widespread attention earlier this year.

As per ESPN, NADA banned the Olympic medalist for four years on Tuesday, accusing him of refusing to provide a urine sample during a doping test on March 10 at national team selection trials. This suspension, upheld after initial appeals, ended his hopes of competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. United World Wrestling (UWW) also imposed a suspension on him.

Punia has accused NADA of using expired doping kits and demanded transparency. He also alleged involvement by the central government, stating: 'All this is a political conspiracy as we stood by the women wrestlers. I am ready to give a sample at any place.'

In response, Minister Gautam said Punia and his political affiliations, including his association with Congress ahead of the Haryana polls, politicized the issue. 'NADA works as per its rules and regulations; it does not act by identifying one specific individual. What direction did the protest head to? Khel mein rajneeti hui, rajneeti mein khel hua [sports became political, and politics affected sports]. Everyone saw how he dragged sports into politics. Congress attempted to politically weaponize it. I think there should be no politics in sports as it affects both society and sportspersons,' Gautam remarked.

The case continues to spark debate over the intersection of sports, politics, and anti-doping regulations in India.   

(ANI)