Kashmir Impulse Desk
Jammu, Aug 5
A Jammu social activist has filed a police complaint against Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti, accusing the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister of disrespecting the national flag by displaying it upside down during a protest in Srinagar.
Neeraj Sharma filed the complaint at Pacca Danga police station in Jammu on Wednesday, seeking registration of a case under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
Sharma alleged that Mufti deliberately held the flag with its saffron band facing down during an August 4 protest against the 2019 revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A.
He said photographs and videos of the incident had circulated widely and alleged that the manner in which the flag was displayed violated rules governing its use.
A senior police officer confirmed receipt of the complaint and said authorities would verify the allegations before deciding further action.
The officer said the alleged incident had not occurred within the jurisdiction of the police station where the complaint was filed and that police could approach the relevant station after verification.
The complaint followed a controversy over images of Mufti holding the inverted flag during her party’s protest in Srinagar ahead of the anniversary of the 2019 constitutional changes.
