Outrage over allegations of ‘restriction’ to carry Indian flags inside cricket stadium in TN

A flutter ensued at the M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday (23 October) when a police officer on duty allegedly intercepted several cricket enthusiasts who sought to bring the Indian flag to the venue where Pakistan was playing against Afghanistan, PTI has reported.

Some fans tried to carry the Indian national tricolour into the stadium to witness the match where Pakistan opted to bat.

At this point, a police sub-inspector intervened and allegedly tried to stop them, the PTI report, which appeared in the Economic Times, says.

STORY | Flutter over 'restriction' to carry Indian flags inside cricket stadium in TN, police deny charge

READ: https://t.co/lWjd9kZiJf

VIDEO:#PAKvsAFG #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/enTG9ergpT

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 23, 2023

Subsequently, word swiftly spread regarding the police’s purported hindrance of fans carrying the national flag.

First, it is wrong that Tamil Nadu Police seized Indian National flags from today's #WorldCup2023 Cricket match in the stadium.

Second, it's atrocious for the Police to confiscate the flags & throw in the dustbin.

CM Mr.@mkstalin should act now or will be forced to act. DOT. pic.twitter.com/cyIS7XOANZ

— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) October 23, 2023

Nevertheless, upon contacting a senior police official, it was clarified that no restrictions were in place against carrying the Indian flag.

“Such an act is permissible. The involved officer acted in an individual capacity, and a departmental inquiry into the incident is underway,” as conveyed by the official to PTI.

He emphasised that this was an isolated occurrence, asserting that the police had not hindered anyone from carrying the flag.

Moreover, the police official confirmed that flags representing India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan were permitted within the stadium premises.

In the midst of this controversy, K Annamalai, the state chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), vehemently criticised the police for purportedly obstructing the flag-carrying endeavour.

Annamalai expressed his concerns, stating, “The police stationed outside the stadium forbade fans from bringing the Indian flag to today’s Chepauk match. Who granted the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) this authority?”

In a social media post on a platform, he demanded, “We insist on the most severe action against the police officers involved for showing disrespect to our national flag. Additionally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) should extend an apology to the citizens of our state. Should they fail to do so, @BJP4TamilNadu will be compelled to stage a protest against this allegedly corrupt DMK government, which is accused of undermining the sanctity of the tricolour.”

Source : Swarajya Magazine