Srinagar, August 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A political controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday after former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti was seen holding the National Flag in an inverted position during a protest in Srinagar, prompting sharp criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.
Mufti had led PDP leaders and workers in a sit-in protest outside the party office in Srinagar against the Centre’s decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35-A, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The constitutional provisions were revoked on August 5, 2019.
During the protest, Mufti was seen carrying both the Tricolour and the flag of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. In visuals from the demonstration, the National Flag appeared inverted, with the saffron band placed at the bottom instead of the top.
As per the Flag Code of India, the Tricolour must be displayed in the prescribed manner, with the saffron band at the top, followed by the white band containing the navy blue Ashoka Chakra and the green band at the bottom. Incorrect display of the National Flag, including holding it upside down, is considered a violation of the prescribed rules.
The incident triggered criticism from BJP leaders, who accused the PDP chief of disrespecting the National Flag.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh launched a strong attack on Mufti and called her a “terrorist”, alleging that she had supported terrorists in the past.
Speaking to reporters, Singh said, “Mehbooba Mufti is a terrorist. I am saying this because she has consistently supported terrorists. That is why I am saying this. She spent a brief period with us, and we tried to bring about a change, but when that did not happen, we parted ways.”
Referring to the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, Singh described August 5 as a significant day in India’s constitutional history.
“Just as we celebrate Independence Day on August 15 and Republic Day on January 26, this too is being regarded as a significant day. It marks what many see as the fulfilment of the dreams of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and countless Indians,” he said.
He added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government removed the constitutional provisions on August 5, 2019, describing it as a step towards “Ek Desh, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan, Ek Vidhan”.
BJP MP Sat Paul Sharma also criticised Mufti and referred to her earlier statements on Article 370.
Speaking to IANS, Sharma said, “Mehbooba Mufti is the same leader who had said regarding Article 370 that if any kind of tampering were done with Article 370, there would be no one left to shoulder the Tricolour. However, today, the entire nation is loyal to the Tricolour.”
He alleged that the PDP had repeatedly disrespected national symbols and said legal action would be taken against her.
Union Minister and Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief Ramdas Athawale, however, said the matter needed examination to determine whether the flag was held upside down deliberately or accidentally.
Speaking to IANS, Athawale said, “I believe Mehbooba Mufti is a leader from Jammu and Kashmir, and she has also been a Member of Parliament with us. There are allegations that she held the national flag upside down. However, it will have to be examined whether she did so deliberately or not.”
He added that everyone had a responsibility to respect the National Flag and that Mufti should have exercised greater caution while holding it.
Meanwhile, AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi attacked the BJP over its criticism of Mufti, recalling the party’s previous alliance with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir.
“You (BJP) were the ones who formed an alliance with her (Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP) and sat together eating dhokla. What was that then?” Owaisi said.
The controversy comes amid political debates in Jammu and Kashmir over the legacy and impact of the August 5, 2019, decision to revoke the region’s special constitutional status.
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