Row over unfurling tricolour by parties in Kerala

The CPI (M) hoisting of the flag allegedly at the same level as that of the party flag was objected to by Youth Congress leader

Allegations of violating the Flag Code of India by the CPM and goof-ups by a minister and a BJP leader marked the 75th Independence Day celebrations of Kerala.

The CPM which formally celebrated Independence Day with flag hoisting this time has invited criticism of violating the Flag Code of India while hoisting the tricolour at the party headquarters in Kerala -- AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

Youth Congress state vice president and former MLA Sabarinadhan K S said that the national flag was hoisted close to the CPM's party flag and at the same height. This was a violation of the Flag Code of India. As per National Flag Code 2.2 (viii) no other flag or bunting should be placed higher than or above or side by side with the National Flag, he said.

While the Youth Congress lodged a police petition in this regard, CPM sources said that the flag post of the national flag was slightly taller than that of the party flag's flag post.

Also Read | Independence Day: The evolution of the Indian flag to the tricolour we know

BJP state president K Surendran quipped that only after the Narendra Modi government came to power in India, the CPM realised that the country got freedom and hence they decided to celebrate Independence Day.

Meanwhile, Surendran had a narrow escape from a major embarrassment as the flag was upside down when he began to hoist it. But some party workers immediately noticed it and hence it was corrected.

Kerala Power Minister K Krishnankutty was trolled for allegedly mentioning Republic Day instead of Independence Day in a social media post. However, it was immediately corrected.