Star wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday returned to India from the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh Phogat had an incredible run at the Paris Olympics and she became the first Indian woman to qualify for the Paris Olympics final in Wrestling. However, just hours before her gold medal match, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified because she was found 100 gm overweight. Therefore, India appealed against Vinesh Phogat's disqualification at the CAS but it went into vain as the sporting body backed the Olympics' decision to disqualify the Indian wrestler. This broke not only Vinesh Phogat's heart but also billions of Indians who were cheering for her. In the meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat got a rousing welcome just like athletes get on winning the medal when she landed at New Delhi Airport. Everything was going well until wrestler Bajrang Punia's video went viral on social media.
Vinesh Phogat's fellow Indian wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were at the airport to welcome her as part of the grand reception arranged for the occasion. Amid the rousing reception for Vinesh, Bajrang Punia landed in a bit of trouble after he was caught standing on 'Tiranga' poster. In the viral video, Bajrang Punia was seen standing on the bonnet of the car where a 'Tiranga' poster was prominently displayed. Notably, Bajrang Punia was managing the crowd and the media when he inadvertently stepped on the 'Tiranga' poster.
Still, Bajrang Punia Tiranga video went viral on social media and many accused the wrestler of disrespecting the Indian National Flag.
A user wrote, "Shame on Bajrang Punia For Insulting National Flag.!!"
Another user wrote, "But who gave right to bajrang Punia to insult national flag ?"
"Tricolour should never be printed on the places where you may have to climb up. In rallies, standing on bonnet is very common thing. They shouldn't have used a poster with a tricolour there. It is unintentional," wrote another user.
One more user wrote, "Absolutely disgraceful! He should be arrested for breaking the Flag Code of India. Walking all over the Tiranga—pathetic! No amount of sucking up can hide that they're trading away integrity for political scraps."