Mehbooba Mufti Faces Flag Row After Holding Tricolour Upside Down At Srinagar Protest

PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti is embroiled in a controversy after she was seen holding the national flag upside down during a protest in Srinagar on Tuesday night, prompting authorities to examine possible legal action over the alleged violation of flag-display rules.

Mehbooba led PDP leaders and workers in a sit-in outside the party office to protest against the Centre's 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A. During the demonstration, she was seen holding both the national flag and the flag of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said the Tricolour was inadvertently held upside down.

Possible Flag Code Violation

The incorrect display of the national flag can amount to a violation of the Flag Code of India. The Tricolour must be displayed with the saffron band at the top, followed by the white band bearing the 24-spoke navy blue Ashoka Chakra and the green band at the bottom.

Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether any legal action should be initiated against the PDP chief.

Police Ban Unauthorised Protests

The incident came ahead of the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on Wednesday. Jammu and Kashmir Police issued an advisory prohibiting protests, rallies, processions, demonstrations and other public gatherings without prior permission from the competent authority.

The advisory was issued by district police headquarters in view of the protest call given by the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP.

Police warned that violations would invite action under the applicable law and said comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place to maintain peace and public order.

Authorities also appealed to residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, maintain communal harmony, avoid spreading rumours or unverified information and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.