Just days ago, India celebrated its glorious T20 Cricket World Cup win, with the entire nation immersed in festivities. During the revelries, captain Rohit Sharma, spirited and patriotic, planted the Indian flag onto the field. This picture of Sharma went viral, sparking discussions about his emotional display. When he set it as his social media profile photo, the image once again stirred public discourse.
However, the current controversy surrounding the photo has a different tenor, raising questions about the potential disrespect of the Indian flag, invoking several regulatory concerns. Let's delve into the details of this heated debate.
The Full Story
The photo in question was chosen by Rohit Sharma for his Twitter profile picture on July 8. It captured him embedding the Indian flag into the soil of a Barbadian field, decked out in Indian cricket colors. The photo dates back to June 29, 2024, the day the T20 World Cup final was held between South Africa and India. This picture has now become the crux of the controversy.
Why the Commotion?
Some voices on social media argue that the photo disrespects the Indian flag. They claim that as Sharma was planting the flag, it made contact with the ground, and a portion of it lay on the turf. Citing the Indian Flag Code, they argue that allowing the flag to touch the ground is a violation. This claim is at the heart of the flag's alleged dishonor in the photo.
What Exactly is the Rule?
Regarding regulations, India has set guidelines for the use of the national flag, referred to as the Indian Flag Code. Code 3.20 explicitly states that the flag should not contact the ground or floor, or be dragged through water. According to this rule, the flag should not touch the ground under any circumstances and, with few exceptions, should always be displayed aloft.
The subsequent section also stipulates that the flag should not be fastened or displayed in a way that might cause it to tear. There are numerous guidelines on how to appropriately deploy the flag, whether on vehicles or in educational institutions. Now, people who reference this rule claim that Sharma's photo is an example of disrespecting the flag.
Source: aajtak
As of now, Rohit Sharma has not commented on the matter. However, the initial response to his profile photo was overwhelmingly positive, with many recognizing it as one of cricket's most memorable moments. Now, several supporters are tweeting in Sharma's defense, arguing that the context of the time was unique and labeling it as a disrespect is unjust.
