UP Student Expelled for Removing Pakistani Flag from Road, Sparks Protests
Class 11 girl in Saharanpur faces school action after viral video shows her taking down Pakistani flag placed during anti-terror protest
A Class 11 student from the Gangoh area in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district was expelled from school after a video showing her removing a Pakistani flag from a public road went viral, sparking a heated local controversy and protests.
The student, a resident of Bahadur Nagar village, was returning home on her scooty when she spotted the Pakistani flag pasted on the road. According to eyewitnesses, she stopped to peel off the flag and placed it aside respectfully, believing it was inappropriate for a national flag—regardless of its origin—to be desecrated in that manner.
The flag had reportedly been placed on the road by a group protesting the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Organizers of the protest had used the flag symbolically, encouraging passersby to walk over it as a form of outrage against Pakistan for allegedly supporting terror activities.
The student’s action, though unintentional in its political implications, drew sharp reactions online. While some praised her for her gesture of respect toward national symbols, others accused her of undermining the protest’s message.
The school, citing “disciplinary concerns” and “potential security risks,” expelled the student after the video attracted widespread attention on social media. This move has triggered protests from local villagers and student groups, who called the school’s action “unjust” and “reactionary.”
Police have confirmed they are aware of the incident and are monitoring the situation closely to prevent any escalation.
Local leaders have demanded the girl’s reinstatement, arguing that the intent behind her action was misunderstood. “She didn’t support Pakistan. She only showed respect for a national flag,” said a village elder. The school management has yet to issue an official statement.
The situation remains tense, with appeals for calm and restraint from both community leaders and authorities.
