Outrage on Twitter: Did Modi insult the national flag again?
It seems Prime Minister Narendra Modi in America is always a recipe for some controversy or the other. On Thursday, he signed an Indian flag to be gifted to US President Barack Obama, which he handed to chef Vikas Khanna.
PM Modi autographed the Indian flag for President Obama to be handed over to him by renowned Chef Vikas Khanna. pic.twitter.com/2ES9TZ6zXK
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 25, 2015According to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, amended by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2005, “Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or *otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
If the tweet by news agency ANI is to be believed, what Modi did attracts clause (f) of Explanation 4 of the Act - which says “putting any kind of inscription upon the Indian National Flag” – and clause (l) – “intentionally displaying the Indian National Flag with the “saffron” down”.
This is the second occasion when Modi is being accused of insulting the National Flag. On the World Yoga Day on June 21, the prime minister was reportedly seen wiping his face with the tri-colour which he had draped on his shoulder. He was heavily criticised for that. A police complaint was also lodged in Puducherry for allegedly the National Flag. And now, giving his autograph on the National Flag turned upside down has led people to come down heavily on him.
Twitter reactions:
On yoga day, modi wipes sweat with National flag, now signs on national flag. Does the PM have no knowledge of National Flag Rules ?
— Vinod Mehta (@DrunkVinodMehta) September 25, 2015Time for some Bhakt Comedian to Tweet 'Thanks to Modi Ji, Liberals are talking about National Flag'
— Joy (@Joydas) September 25, 2015Dear PM - any lettering or Signing on National Flag is crime under 1971 National Honour Act 1971 and Flag code 2002. pic.twitter.com/OdW7YJeOD5
— Mukesh Singh (@mailtomukesh) September 25, 2015Don't understand fuss over Modi's signature on national flag. This is a new India, it is being authored and championed by a patriot.
— TheComicProject (@thecomicproject) September 25, 2015Narendra Modi, autographs upside down national flag as a gift to leader of imperialist power. If it was MMS, bhakts would be out for blood.
— Wildcard Vidyut (@Vidyut) September 25, 2015