Complaint Filed Against Mehbooba Mufti Over Alleged Tricolour Disrespect
Police complaint seeks action under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act over alleged inverted display of the national flag during Srinagar protest.
A formal police complaint has been filed against People's Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, alleging that she disrespected the national flag during a protest in Srinagar on August 4.
Senior cardiologist and social activist Dr Neeraj Sharma lodged the complaint at Police Station Pacca Danga in Jammu on Wednesday, seeking action under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
According to the complaint, Mufti was seen holding the Tricolour upside down during a candlelight protest, with the saffron band positioned at the bottom, allegedly violating the Flag Code of India. Sharma urged the police to register an FIR, claiming the act hurt the sentiments of citizens and amounted to an insult to the national flag.
A senior police officer confirmed receipt of the complaint and said it would be verified. Since the alleged incident took place in Srinagar, the matter is likely to be forwarded to the jurisdictional police station after preliminary examination.
The controversy arose during a late-night sit-in led by Mufti outside the PDP headquarters in Srinagar on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. The protest was organised after police prevented PDP leaders from marching to Lal Chowk.
Visuals from the demonstration showed Mufti holding the Tricolour in one hand and the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state flag in the other. The national flag appeared inverted briefly before she corrected its orientation, triggering criticism on social media and demands for legal action.
The incident sparked sharp political reactions. BJP leaders criticised Mufti, with Union Minister Giriraj Singh accusing her of disrespecting the national flag, while Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Paul Sharma demanded strict legal action. BJP supporters and several organisations also condemned the incident.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, suggested the inversion appeared to be accidental, saying he did not believe a former chief minister would deliberately disrespect the Tricolour. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale also said authorities should first determine whether there was any deliberate intent before initiating legal action.
The PDP rejected the allegations, maintaining that the incident was being misrepresented. Party leaders said Mufti had briefly taken the two flags out of her bag and that the moment captured on camera was being taken out of context. Senior PDP leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para also criticised the remarks made by BJP leaders, describing them as inappropriate.
Police are yet to decide whether any formal legal proceedings will be initiated in the matter.
