HDMC unfurls Tricolour at Idgah Maidan after 15 years

 Except for pro-Hindu organisations protesting against too much police security, the flag hoisting ceremony passed off peacefully.

There was a controversy over the ownership of Idgah Maidan for years. The HDMC and the Anjuman-e-Islam to which the HDMC had given the Idgah grounds on licence for offering prayers, had gone to the court claiming their rights over the Idgah Maidan in the heart of the City.

After the Anjuman-e-Islam approached the court claiming ownership of Idgah, pro-Hindu organisations had started urging the Government to hoist the National Flag at the controversial Idgah Maidan. Police had to open fire, killing five persons on the spot when pro-Hindu organisations tried to hoist the flag there in 1994.

Bowing to political pressure, the Anjuman-e-Islam had started hoisting the flag at Idgah since 1995 and continued till last year. However, this year the Government had decided to hoist the flag following a Supreme Court’s order, which ruled that the land belonged to the HDMC. As per the Government’s instruction, HDMC Commissioner P S Vastrad hoisted the flag at Idgah Maidan at 7:45 am.

Tattered tricolour hoisted

In Kanakapura a tattered and dirty Tricolour was hoisted during the Republic Day celebrations at the taluk office here on Tuesday.

The Kanakapur Taluk National Festival Celebrations Committee, in charge of organising the programme failed to arrange for a new National Flag, Bahujan Samaj Party member Mallikarjun has alleged.

The tahsildar did not follow protocol while lowering the flag. A verbal duel ensued between the officer and BSP workers who took exception as the former asked a construction worker to lower the Tricolour. A complaint has been lodged with the Ramnagar Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner over phone, he said.
Meanwhile, tahsildar Chadru, who unfurled the flag, is reported to have apologised for his act.

Upside down

The National Tri-colour was unfurled upside down for sometime at Muneshwara Kaval Grounds in Hunsur Town on Tuesday during Republic Day celebrations.

Soon after Assistant Commissioner hoisted the flag the schoolchildren and the guests were shocked to see the flag upside down. Observing serious faux paus, the authorities rectified the mistake.