Case against Pandya for insulting the Indian flag

On March 8, Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium was decorated in festive colors. After the 96-run win against New Zealand, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya were seen celebrating on the field. However, Pandya suddenly faced criticism for celebrating with the Indian flag in the joy of becoming the champion. A case has been filed against the Indian star all-rounder for insulting the flag.
During the celebration in the T20 World Cup final, Hardik Pandya had the Indian flag tied to his back. At one point, he lay down on the grass of the Modi Stadium with the flag. Pune lawyer Wajid Khan has filed a charge sheet against Pandya at the Shivaji Nagar police station for insulting the flag. On Wednesday (March 11), a police officer from Shivaji Nagar police station confirmed to NDTV that Wajid did this as a first step in filing an FIR.
The criticism started after a picture of him celebrating with the Indian flag in the T20 World Cup final went viral on social media. Regarding the case, Wajid said, “Hardik Pandya was dancing with his girlfriend in the T20 World Cup final. The national flag was tied to Pandya’s back. He was so engrossed in the celebration that he fell asleep with his girlfriend wrapped in the national flag. In my opinion, this is an insult to the national flag.” When Wajid first went to Shivaji Nagar police station to file a complaint of flag desecration, the police did not want to accept it. Later, a lawyer from Pune argued and filed a case with the police station. Wajid said, “As per Section 2 of the National Flag Act of 1971, we should protect the dignity of the national flag. But when I went to Shivaji Nagar police station to file a complaint against Pandya, they said, ‘The incident did not happen here. It happened somewhere else.’ Then I said, ‘The national flag is the symbol of the entire country. So I can file a complaint at Shivaji Nagar police station as well.’ They accepted my complaint and gave me a copy. Now let’s see what happens.” Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were photographed with the Indian flag wrapped around their bodies after India’s victory over South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados. Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from international T20s after winning the championship. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya created a similar scene after winning the championship against New Zealand in Ahmedabad. However, Pandya was mainly criticised for lying down with the flag wrapped around his body.