Srinagar, Apr 15, KDC: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday declined to cut a ribbon styled in the colours of the Indian Tricolour during an official function of the Directorate of Handicrafts, choosing instead to wrap and set it aside in a mark of respect.
Eyewitnesses told news agency Kashmir Dot Com that Chief Minister paused before the inauguration, noting that the ribbon resembled the national flag, and opted not to proceed with the customary ribbon-cutting.
Abdullah was inaugurating the ‘Know Your Artisans’ event at the Kashmir Haat in Srinagar. In a moment that was captured by camera crews and quickly went viral on social media platforms, the chief minister was seen walking towards the ribbon stretched across and then stopping short as he noticed the colours of the tricolour. Omar was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, his advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and a host of others.
The Flag Code mandates that the national flag must be treated with dignity and respect at all times, it shall not be used as a decorative item, drapery, or for commercial purposes, the flag must not be damaged, defaced, or used in a manner that could be considered disrespectful.
Officials say that cutting a ribbon designed like the Tricolour could amount to improper use, as it involves altering or damaging a representation of the national flag.
Though a ruling by the Madras High Court says cutting a cake, paper, or items with a tricolour design or print is not an offence and is not considered unpatriotic. Still, Omar’s act prevented him from landing in a controversy.
In official functions, it is standard protocol to use a plain ribbon for inaugurations and display the national flag separately in accordance with prescribed norms.
Officials familiar with protocol said the Chief Minister’s decision was in line with the spirit of the Flag Code, which emphasises preserving the sanctity of the Tricolour.
The Directorate of Handicrafts event proceeded smoothly thereafter, with the inauguration carried out without the Tricolour ribbon. (KDC)
