When public figures insult the Indian flag

‘Saare jahan se accha, Hindustan humara. Hum bulbule hai iski, yeh gulsitan humara, humara…’

These words bring along with them a sense of pride, honour and respect for every Indian. Each year, most Indians celebrate the nation’s Independence either by hoisting the tricoloured flag, or by singing the national anthem, along with other patriotic songs. While most people stop at just that, there are a few who walk the extra mile and pay tributes to those bravehearts who fought for our country’s freedom. And then there are those who have no respect whatsoever for our national flag. The sacredness of the Tricolours (Saffron, White and Green) and the Ashok Chakra (the blue wheel) mean nothing to them. What makes matters worse is when those who disrespect our Tiranga is none other than public figures, who are expected to set an example!

On Saturday August 15, 2015, people of a small town in Andhra Pradesh, like the rest of India, started their day by unfurling the national flag. However, what started off on a patriotic note went on to become a shameful act of disregard. A handful of YSR Congress Party leaders, who were present at the flag hoisting ceremony, broke into an argument – not just a normal tiff, but a really ugly and messy one. This video speaks for itself.

Do these people, who proclaim to be ‘the face of the nation’, even respect our country’s identity? Arguing, fighting, throwing slippers at each other in front of the national flag, that too immediately after I-Day celebrations, is nothing short of disgraceful. But hey, I’m sure this is not the first time a politician has gone on to insult the national flag? And your reaction upon reading this article would most likely be ‘This happens only in India’!

On the same day, a photograph of the Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi seated in his office with an upside down flag placed behind him went viral on Twitter.

Mr.Bassi,CP, Delhi…careless just bcoz he knows nothing will happen…on such lapses he should be suspended…shame. pic.twitter.com/KCLKpiKbfK

— MJH-INDIA (@mjhindia) August 16, 2015

Can this even be accepted? Being a caretaker of the law, I’m sure that BS Bassi would know the meaning of having a flag flown upside down. For those who are clueless, any flag flown upside down is considered as a ‘distress call’. The flag is a symbol of control and superiority. The use of such in any other way is considered “desecration.”

There is a high possibility that most people who wave a flag upside down are clumsy and ignorant. But public figures, especially someone who is keeping a close check on the capital city’s security, being so negligent is obviously unacceptable.

I clearly recall, in 2011, the then Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal too was caught in a similar quandary. At an accord signing event with the Minister of Education of Republic of Mozambique, Zeferino Aledandre, the national flag was placed upside down on the table in front of the minister. A photograph of the same sent shockwaves, with members of the then Opposition pointing fingers at the government for belittling the national flag. Well, whose fault was it back then? Was it Sibal’s ignorance towards our nation’s foremost symbol of pride? Or was it the protocol keeper’s fault? Even if they claimed that it was a mistake, the fact that they remained negligent still remains.

When India won the World Cup in 2011, the entire cricket-frenzy nation danced along with the Men in Blue. One enthusiast was none other than Bollywood’s Baadshah – Shah Rukh Khan. He joined the party on the streets of Mumbai. But he made one mistake. He waved the Tiranga upside down! While an ignorant or negligent (you decide) SRK jumped and danced in merriment, a section of the society was stunned that a man, who is one of the leading faces of Indian cinema, just didn’t bother to get the flag’s positioning right. Most people would argue that he didn’t do so deliberately, but the fact that he did it stays.

So, why wasn’t Sibal or for that matter SRK pulled up for being negligent towards our national flag? Cases were registered against them. But what happened after that? I was clueless and I continue to remain clueless.

I also recall tennis ace Sania Mirza too was slammed for insulting our national flag. Years ago, a case was registered against her for dishonouring our Tiranga during her visit to Australia. She was caught on camera watching a match with her feet placed right in front of our flag. Did she do it intentionally? While most people will come to her defence, the truth of the matter is that her negligence was clearly exposed.

Early this year, Amitabh Bachchan came under fire for wrapping the flag around him. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too was slammed for using the flag to wipe his face during International Yoga Day celebrations. The instances are numerous. The arguments are many. Regardless, no one has given them or any other citizen of this country the right to insult our national flag. And if anyone does so, then he/she ought to be punished. Remaining silent or just taking pot shots at each other is no solution.

I’m sure some of you would claim that I’m making a mountain out of a mole. But ask those men, who are surviving the cold nights at the Line of Control or the International Border, about what they think and you will be surprised to hear their responses. No, I’m not asking you to go join the jawans and safeguard our country. But yes the least you and I can do, as noble citizens of India, is respect and protect our identity as much as possible. Agreed that slip-ups can happen. But if you’re someone who’s in the public eye, then your alertness towards such things always counts!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Folomojo.com

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