Videos circulating on social media have shown that ticket-holding spectators at the Pakistan versus Afghanistan World Cup match at Chepauk Stadium were prevented from carrying Indian tricolour flags. According to reports, officials justified this by citing the match between the Pakistan and Afghanistan teams as the reason for the ban.
According to a report by News Tamil 24×7, officials have informed that the Indian national flag is not allowed to be carried inside the stadium as the match was between Pakistan and Afghanistan teams.
Reports have emerged that police officials stationed at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai, were seen confiscating Indian flags from fans. In contrast, those wearing Pakistani team t-shirts were allowed inside the stadium, which has raised concerns about unequal treatment and biased actions.
This controversy is unfolding against the backdrop of DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s support for Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Rizwan. When enthusiastic fans chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ as Rizwan was leaving the field, it sparked a heated debate. Udhayanidhi Stalin has defended Rizwan’s right to say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and perform Namaz at the cricket ground, asserting that these actions are seen as secular.
India is renowned for its sportsmanship and hospitality. However, the treatment meted out to Pakistan players at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is unacceptable and a new low. Sports should be a unifying force between countries, fostering true brotherhood. Using it as a tool… pic.twitter.com/MJnPJsERyK
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) October 14, 2023
The situation took a grave turn when a police official was seen dumping confiscated Indian flags into a dustbin, which enraged the public. Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai expressed his dismay on social media, demanding strict acton against the police officers involved and an apology from the DMK for disrespecting the national flag.
https://x.com/annamalai_k/status/1716386749608567065?s=20
DMK Minister Thiru Ponmudi’s son and TNCA President Thiru Ashok Sigamani has taken their political propaganda one step further and have insulted our Nation’s flag today. The police outside the stadium disallowed fans from carrying the Indian flag to today’s match in Chepauk. Who gave TNCA this right? We demand the strictest action against the police officers for insulting our National flag, and the DMK should apologise to the people of our state, failing which, @BJP4TamilNadu will be compelled to protest against this Corrupt DMK government for denigrating the sanctity of the Tricolor”.
https://x.com/annamalai_k/status/1716386749608567065?s=20
According to section 2 of Insults to Indian National Flag and Constitution of India “Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or 1[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.
Political commentator Omampuliyur Jayaraman has suggested that the DMK’s actions may be aimed at provoking the central government to invoke Article 356, potentially for sympathy and political gain in the next elections. This controversy is seen as a cover-up for the party’s perceived failures, including a cash crunch, worsening law and order problems, and the failure to fulfill election promises. The removal of party flag pole in Annamalai’s house ‘s a clear signal mend your ways or face consequences – an indirect way of threat to him”.
