BJP faces criticism for placing party flag over tricolour on Kalyan Singh's mortal remains

 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced massive criticism on social media over a picture from the prayer meet of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, who passed away Lucknow on Saturday.

The photograph, tweeted by the saffron party shows the BJP flag placed over the national flag on the mortal remains of the BJP veteran at the tribute ceremony.

Opposition party members took to Twitter and criticised the BJP on the issue.

“Party above the Nation. Flag above the Tricolour. BJP as usual: no regret, no repentance, no sorrow, no grief,” tweeted Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari.

Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV tweeted: “Is it ok to place party flag over Indian flag in New India?”

A tweet from the Youth Congress official handle said: “BJP flag on top of tricolour! Are self-proclaimed patriots respecting or insulting the tricolour?”

Reacting to the issue Senior Congress leader and party MP Shashi Tharoor, in a tweet said: “As one who had to fight a court case for four years merely for placing my hand on my heart during the singing of the National Anthem (rather than standing stiffly to attention), I think the nation should be told how the ruling party feels about this insult,” he said.

Kalyan Singh, 89, had passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness that led to multi-organ failure.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Lucknow to pay his respects to the departed leader.