Olympian Bajrang Punia reacted to his suspension rendered by NADA and said that it was a political move by the BJP and that the order would be quashed if the wrestler joined the party.
The National Anti-doping Agency (NADA) on Tuesday suspended the Indian wrestler for four years due to his "refusal" to provide a sample for the dope test.
NADA said Bajrang violated the rules by refusing to give samples during selection trials for the national team on March 10.
The anti-doping body had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler on April 23 for the offence following which, the sport's world governing body UWW also slapped him with a suspension.
"It is not shocking because this issue about trial has been going on for the last year. 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 said.
Punia, along with fellow wrestler and Olympian Vinesh Phogat, joined the Congress Party earlier this year.
Bajrang added in his defence, "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 mailed NADA, and called them to inform them about the mistake. But they did not accept their mistake," said Bajrang.
The wrestler alleged that the government is looking to get back at them for their involvement 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 fall under the purview of the government," added wrestler.
"I have been competing for the last 10-12 years and I have given samples during all tournaments, during the India camps. But the government's motive is to break us and make us bow down to them. If I join the BJP then I think all my bans will be lifted," Bajrang claimed.
The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling or apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to, till April 22, 2028.
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