Controversy Erupts Over Tricolor Rally in Pulwama, Civil Society Demands Probe

Srinagar – What began as a patriotic display under “Operation Sindoor” has now sparked outrage and demands for accountability after a Tricolor rally in Pulwama, led by the district president of a prominent political party, allegedly turned into a controversial event on Sunday.

The rally, which had been ongoing since last week as part of efforts to promote national unity and patriotism, came under fire from various public quarters, political leaders, and civil society groups after videos and images surfaced showing apparent violations of flag protocol. The visuals quickly circulated on social media, triggering strong reactions and condemnation.

Advocate Farooq Reshi took to Twitter to express his dismay:

“Ohh ridiculous & shameful act as disrespecting & disregard to Indian flag is punishable offense. They should b dealt under relevant act & party heads are requested for necessary action under party rules:laws & bylaws so that no one can dare to disregard Indian flag,” he wrote.

The criticism has led to mounting pressure on the party’s central leadership to initiate a thorough investigation into the matter. Civil society organizations have also joined the chorus, demanding swift and transparent action against those involved, calling the incident a “blot on patriotic sentiment.”

Local sources suggest that discrepancies in how the national flag was handled during the rally are at the center of the controversy, though exact details remain unclear pending official verification.

Political observers believe the incident could have broader implications, especially in a sensitive region like Pulwama, where public sentiment around national symbols is closely watched.

As the storm intensifies, all eyes are now on the party’s top brass and local administration, who have yet to issue an official statement. Meanwhile, citizens and activists continue to demand accountability, urging authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur under the guise of patriotic events.(CNS)