Kerala Minister Ahmed Deverkovil on Wednesday courted controversy after hoisting the national flag upside down in Kasaragod on the occasion of Republic Day. BJP Demanded the resignation of the minister for “insulting the national flag”.
The minister, who holds the portfolios of ports and archeology in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations at the Kasaragod district headquarters. After hoisting the national flag upside down, the minister inspected the parade organized at the Municipal Corporation Stadium.
When the minister was delivering the Republic Day speech, media persons covering the day’s celebrations on the ground pointed out the mistake. Thereafter, the tricolor was brought down and hoisted again by the minister, who belongs to the Indian National League (INL), a CPI(M) ally.
Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan, representing Kasaragod Lok Sabha seat, three MLAs from the district, Additional District Magistrate AK Ramendran and District Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Saxena were also present at the venue.
The ADM, who held the charge of the District Magistrate, discussed with the minister and ordered an inquiry.
Later in the day, the ADM said the investigation revealed that two police officers – an additional sub-inspector and a senior civilian police officer – were responsible for the mistake.
Meanwhile, BJP state president K Surendran demanded the minister’s resignation.
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