J&K police detain man for disrespecting national flag

Police on Tuesday registered a first information report (FIR) and detained a man in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district for allegedly dishonouring the national flag after a video of the incident went viral on social media, officials said.

The video purportedly shows Farooq Ahmed, son of Mohammad Ramzan Banday and a resident of the Nagri area in Doda, using the national flag to clean the window glass of his house. The footage triggered widespread public outrage, prompting immediate police action.

“A case has been registered after a video surfaced showing misuse of the national flag. The accused has been detained, and further investigation is underway,” a senior police officer said. Another official added, “The act prima facie amounts to an offence under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and strict legal action will be taken as per law.”

Police said the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act prohibits the desecration, defacement, destruction, or improper use of the national flag and provides for imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine, or both for those found guilty. Officials also referred to Article 51A(a) of the Constitution of India , which mandates every citizen to respect the Constitution, its ideals and institutions, the national flag, and the national anthem.

“Respect for national symbols is a fundamental duty of every citizen, and any violation will not be tolerated,” the officer said.

Acting on the directions of the Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, the police registered the FIR, secured the video evidence, and launched a detailed probe to establish the circumstances and intent behind the act. Officials said further legal action would follow based on the findings of the investigation.