BJP demands removal of Kerala minister over upside down Indian national flag
- A Kerala minister unfurled the national flag upside down, sparking a political uproar
- No one seemed to notice the error, including the minister, people's representatives, police officers, and other dignitaries
- The minister saluted it while it was upside down before continuing with his address
During the Republic Day celebrations in Kasaragod district, a Kerala minister unfurled the national flag upside down, sparking a political uproar as the opposition BJP sought his resignation for disrespecting the national flag.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, at the Municipal Stadium in Kasaragod, Kerala, when minister Ahammad Devarkovil, who handles the Port and Archaeology posts in the Left Government, unfurled the flag.
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Mr Devarkovil, a nominee of the Indian National League (INL), an ally of the CPI(M)-led LDF, was the chief guest at the district headquarters’ Republic Day celebrations.
Surprisingly, no one seemed to notice the error, including the minister, people’s representatives, police officers, and other dignitaries in attendance.
After the flag was unfurled, the minister saluted it while it was upside down before continuing with his address, during which some media professionals gathered to cover the ceremony pointed out the error.
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The minister then returned, lowered the flag, and appropriately raised it again.
Meanwhile, BJP state head K Surendran demanded that Mr Devarkovil resigns immediately and that a police case be filed against him and the authorities involved for disrespecting the national flag.
“The minister saluted the Tricolour (flag) after it was hoisted upside down, which is cause for considerable worry. It is absurd that, despite such a significant error, neither the minister nor the officials recognised the error,” He stated this in a statement.
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He also demanded that the state DGP conduct an investigation into the incident.
Rajmohan Unnithan, a senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament present at the event, called the incident “unfortunate” and urged the government to take action.
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