Lodge FIR against BJP leaders for insulting National Flag: Harsh Dev

Narrating several incidents of disrespect shown to the National Flag by BJP yesterday, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh Chairman-JKNPP and former Minister has sought immediate registration of FIR against the delinquents under various laws passed by the Parliament over the subject. He said that BJP’s melodrama over celebrations on August 5, the day of Re-organization of J&K and its demotion to UT, witnessed several ugly incidents with gravest acts of desecration of the National Flag which is the pride of the Nation. He said that the National Flag was thrown on barbed wire in the BJP Headquarter at Jammu which was duly captured in videos by the media persons and widely displayed on social media. Several Flags were thrown on the ground after the said functions. Likewise the BJP leaders were openly seen wiping their faces, ears and noses with the National Flag on social media with none in the administration to take notice. Only last week, the J&K BJP President was seen using the National Flag upside down without bothering about the prescribed protocols. He was addressing public meetings in villages Krowa, Dhandhal, Prowa Jagir and Hartrayan in Jaganoo and Ghordi Blocks.

Asserting that insult to National Flag was a punishable offence under law, Mr. Singh questioned the govt whether it would take cognizance of the delinquency of the BJP leaders whose disrespectful conduct had become viral on the social media with people seeking action for the said contemptuous defiance of symbols of National pride. Referring to the laws on the subject, Mr. Singh said that “Prevention of insult to National Honours Act” 1971 states that “whosoever in any public place or any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect or brings into contempt, whether by words, either spoken or written or by acts, the National Flag….” shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years. Similar provisions have been contained in IPC and Flag code of India which provide for strict punitive action for any disrespect shown to the National Flag. Will the govt act against the hooligans of yesterday’s misadventures for having defiled, disrespected the desecrated the symbol of National honour, questioned Mr. Singh.

Seeking restoration of early statehood for J&K, Mr. Singh said that it's downgrading as UT had further given a serious blow to the dogra pride and honour. The state of J&K had been created by Dogra rulers with the Dogra warriors having made countless sacrifices for protecting its pristine glory and honour. He regretted that BJP divested the people of J&K not only of the status of statehood but also of the lands and Jobs of locals. He appealed to the people to give a befitting reply to the said party during the coming elections in the erstwhile state.