The Pune Police has booked the renowned Ukrainian Singer, Uma Shanti, for insulting the sacred national flag of India during a concert at a club in Mundhwa. The incident occurred on August 14, night and was recorded on camera.
The Incident
In the recorded video, Uma Shanti, the lead vocalist of the Ukrainian band Shanti People can be seen dancing on the stage and holding the Indian tricolour in both hands. A few moments later she was seen swinging the national flag towards the audience.
Shanti was dancing on the stage, holding the tricolour in both of her hands and moments later, she threw India’s sacred flag across the audience.
Reaction by the Police
The clip went viral on social media and other networking sites. After this, Havildar Tanaji Deshmukh filed a case against Uma Shanti at the Koregaon Park Police Station. According to Vishnu Tamhane, the senior inspector of police, Shanti and the organizer Kartik Morein have been named as the accused in the FIR, and legal proceedings were initiated against them. Sandeep Jore, an assistant sub-inspector, has been assigned to this case
The legal proceedings include the Prevention of Insults to the National Honour Act and the Maharashtra Police Act (Section-2)
Significance of Tiranga for India
The Indian Tricolour, or Tiranga, is not just a national flag. It embodies and expresses the testimony of the significant sacrifices given by freedom fighters, political leaders, and personnel of the Indian Armed and Paramilitary Forces of the country. The Flag Code of India is the main legal framework that deals with the issues related to the national flag.
It prohibits the use of Tiranga as a festoon, decoration, and also for commercial purposes. The Prevention of the Insults of the National Honours Act offers strict punishments and severe penalties to the offender accused of disrespecting the flag. Apart from insulting or desecrating the national flag, other symbols of national importance, such as the national anthem, Indian map and constitution, if insulted, can lead to harsh punishments to the offenders.
All about Shanti People
Shanti People is a musical band based in Ukraine. It is well known for its music that combines the electronic dance genre with Vedic Mantras. Three of them are vegetarians, and one of them is Vegan. Vedic Philosophy, Bhakti Yoga and Vedic hymns inspire them. It was found in 2008.
They have played and conducted concerts at various world festivals, such as Sunburn Festival, World Trance Winter etc. They have conducted live shows throughout the world, mostly in Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, India, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Ukraine.
Their music contributions are based on mantras, Chalisa pertaining to Hindu deities and, mostly pertaining to Sanatan Dharma. Their compositions include Mahishasur Mardini Stotram, Shiv Tandav Stotra, Hanuman Chalisa, Durga Chalisa, Gayatri Mantra, and Maha Ganpati Mool Mantra.
According to Uma Shanti, Mantras not only eliminate worries and bring peacefulness to the mind and heart but also help to understand the nature of consciousness, which is the most important thing in the practice of self-realization. In our music, we try to express our knowledge through the common language of electronic music. We are happy that we can share this treasure with our audience.
The singer is a front woman in the musical band Shanti People, which mixes EDM (Electronic Dance Music) with Vedic mantras.
The Ukrainian Band Shanti-People on an India tour had already performed in Bengaluru and Bhopal last week. Sunday’s performance was the band’s second performance in Pune, after one in October last year.
