Mehbooba Mufti Sparks Row After Tricolour Held Upside Down At Srinagar Protest

SRINAGAR, Aug 5: A controversy erupted after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti was seen holding the national flag upside down during a protest in Srinagar, with authorities considering possible legal action over the alleged violation of rules governing the display of the Tricolour.

Mehbooba led PDP leaders and workers in a sit-in outside the party office in Srinagar on Tuesday night to protest against the Centre’s August 2019 decisions to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35A and reorganise the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.

During the protest, Mehbooba was seen holding both the national flag and the flag of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Tricolour was reportedly held inverted, with the saffron band appearing at the bottom instead of the top.

Officials said authorities were examining the incident and could initiate legal action against the PDP chief. The Flag Code of India prescribes the manner in which the national flag must be displayed, including the correct order of its three colours.

Under the prescribed arrangement, saffron must remain at the top, followed by white with the 24-spoke navy blue Ashoka Chakra in the centre, and green at the bottom. An incorrect display of the national flag is treated as a violation of the Flag Code.

The incident came ahead of the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on Wednesday, amid heightened security and restrictions on public gatherings across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police had issued advisories warning against unauthorised protests, rallies, processions and other public gatherings without prior permission from the competent authority.

Police said comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place to maintain peace, public order and public safety, and warned that violations would be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.

The authorities also appealed to citizens to maintain peace and communal harmony, refrain from spreading rumours or unverified information, and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station. (Agencies)