Himachal Congress leaders accused of disrespecting national flag during Shimla protest over Pahalgam attack

MANDI/Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Congress leaders and members of the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government have been accused of disrespecting the national flag during a protest in Shimla over the Pahalgam terror attack.
During a candlelight march organised by the Congress to protest the attack, several leaders were seen holding the national flag upside down.

Photographs from the event showed Congress MLA from Kullu Sunder Singh Thakur holding the tricolour incorrectly, a mistake that has since gone viral across social media platforms.

What was intended to be a solemn tribute has instead sparked widespread outrage, with citizens questioning whether political leaders, who are expected to uphold national honour, are even aware of basic flag etiquette.

BJP Mandi district president Nihal Chand said “The tricolor is more than just a piece of cloth; it symbolises the sacrifice of countless soldiers who lay down their lives to protect it. While ordinary citizens are often penalised for any perceived disrespect towards the national flag, it appears that when politicians make such blunders, they expect forgiveness”.

“The national flag symbolises the sacrifices made by soldiers who defend the country, often at the cost of their lives. Mishandling it, whether by negligence or ignorance, is seen as a grave insult. Social media users have not spared the Congress leaders, with ridicule and criticism pouring in across platforms. Memes, sarcastic posts, and pointed questions about political accountability are dominating online discussions,” he added.

Social media users have not taken this lightly. Memes, criticism and sharp remarks are flooding various platforms, turning what was supposed to be a dignified protest into a public relations disaster for the Congress party in Himachal Pradesh.

Munish Sood