'Ban is not shocking, govt is trying to exact revenge': Bajrang Punia

Olympic medal-winning wrestler Bajrang Punia, suspended for four years on Tuesday due to his refusal to provide samples for a dope test, said his ban will be quashed if he joins the ruling BJP.

The National Anti-Doping Agency had first suspended Bajrang on April 23 for his refusal to give samples for the dope test in March. Following NADA's suspension, the sport's world governing body UWW also slapped him with a suspension. However, NADA's Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) revoked his ban in May. 

NADA served a fresh notice to Bajrang NADA for a dope test and accused him of refusing the test. Bajrang, however, challenged the charge on July 11 in a written submission following which hearings were held on September 20 and October 4. Following this, the 30-year-old wrestler was suspended again. 

"It is not shocking because this issue about trial has been going on for the last one year. This four-year ban is the result of personal animosity and political conspiracy against me. I have said in the past too that I have not refused to give a sample to NADA. When they visited my home to conduct the dope test, they came with an expiry kit (in December, 2023). I have also posted this on social media," Bajrang told reporters.

Expired kits provided: Bajrang 

Bajrang, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, joined Congress earlier this year along with fellow wrestler and Olympian Vinesh Phogat.

Explaining why he refused to give samples, Bajrang said, "You can't give expiry kit to any player and as far as I am concerned, my team was there, so they saw it. They came carrying expiry kits dated 2020, 2021, 2022."

"I gave my urine sample but then my team checked the kit and found out that it was expired. So we made a video of the kit and we mailed NADA, called them to inform about the mistake. But they did not accept their mistake," he added.

Bajrang also alleged that the BJP government at the centre targeted him because he was involved in the long-drawn sit-in protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP politician.

"I also feel that because of our protest in support of the women wrestlers, they are trying to exact revenge because all the agencies are fall under the purview of the government," said Bajrang.

"I have been competing for the last 10-12 years and I have given sample during all tournaments, during the India camps. But the government's motive is to break us, make us bow down to them. If I join the BJP then I think all my bans will be lifted," he added.

Due to the suspension, Bajrang will not be able to return to wrestling till April 28, 2028.