The BJP on Sunday faced widespread condemnation for placing its party flag on top of India’s tricolour while paying respect to the mortal remains of Kalyan Singh, who died in Lucknow on Saturday.
Several top BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid their tribute to Kalyan Singh. Visuals shared from the BJP’s official social media handles showed Kalyan Singh’s mortal remains draped by the country’s national flag, which was partially covered by the BJP flag.
This evoked angry reactions from netizens, who felt that the Hindutva party had violated what’s known as the Flag Code Of India.
Is BJP flag bigger than the national flag in new India? pic.twitter.com/jNJDusmDbd
— Saral Patel (@SaralPatel) August 22, 2021
Seeing on TV pics of PM paying respects to late Sh.Kalyan Singh. BJP President places BJP flag atop national flag already on casket. Wonder if this is permissible & as per protocol.
— K. C. Singh (@ambkcsingh) August 22, 2021
No other flag can be placed above my Tiranga. How can BJP flag be placed over our Tricolour. This is an anti national act. pic.twitter.com/Pe5kExU8Rs
— Imtiaz Jaleel (@imtiaz_jaleel) August 22, 2021
India’s so-called nationalists and their respect for our national flag. https://t.co/tzBJKUyzG9
— Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) August 22, 2021
Section 2.2 (viii) of the Flag Code of India reads, “No other flag or bunting should be placed higher than or above or side by side with the National Flag; nor should any object including flowers or garlands or emblem be placed on or above the Flag-mast from which the Flag is flown.”
Kalyan Singh, during whose tenure as chief minister in Uttar Pradesh the historical Babri Masjid was demolished, had famously expressed his desire to be draped with the BJP flag after his death. But, many wondered if his final wish could have been fulfilled without draping his body with the country’s national flag.