Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday declined to cut an inaugural ribbon in saffron, white and green stripes during an event in Srinagar.
Instead, he untied it and returned it to organisers, asking that it be kept with respect.
The incident took place at the “Know Your Artisans” programme held at Kashmir Haat.
The moment, captured by cameras and widely shared on social media, showed Abdullah pausing mid-way as he noticed the ribbon’s colours before stepping back.
He was accompanied by deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary, advisor Nasir Aslam Wani as well as other officials, before proceeding with the event.
The decision by the J&K chief minister not to cut the ribbon is seen as having both symbolic respect and a legal dimension. Under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, any act that involves physically cutting or damaging the Indian National Flag is treated as disrespect.
However, a ruling by the Madras High Court clarifies that items such as cakes or objects merely bearing tricolour designs do not amount to an offence.
