Following the appointment of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's aide Sanjay Singh as the WFI chief, Bajrang Punia made a statement by returning his Padma Shri Award. He notably placed the award near the footpath outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. On Friday evening, Bajrang proceeded towards the PM's residence but was halted by the Delhi Police outside the Kartavya Path. In a gesture of protest, Punia placed the Padma Shri Award on the footpath as a symbolic act and departed from the location.