“Demonstration of dynast’s psychology”: Union Minister thrashes Rahul for “violating” Flag Code

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for “violating” the Flag Code by putting his own image overwhelming the Tricolour while unfurling the flag at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on January 29, and claimed that the conduct reveals the “psychology of a dynast”.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for “violating” the Flag Code by putting his own image overwhelming the Tricolour while unfurling the flag at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on January 29, and claimed that the conduct reveals the “psychology of a dynast”.

On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi unfurled the Tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. However, the cutouts put at the venue were seen to be taller than the national flag, which is a breach of the flag code. The flag code says, “no other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than or above or side by side with the National Flag”.

Speaking to ANI on the issue, Chandrasekhar said, “Completely atrocious that the so-called leader of a party will hoist the National Flag but do so in total violation of the Flag Code by putting his own cutout that overwhelmed the Flag.

“In a way, it’s a demonstration of the psychology of a dynast, where for him his image and picture and his name on schemes or his father’s name on schemes or his grandmother’s name on schemes takes precedence over National Flag & what is right for the country,” the Minister added.
Chandrasekhar attacked dynastic parties, claiming that it is in their DNA to elevate themselves even while flying the national flag.

“I’d be very embarrassed if I were to do things like this. But I guess, it’s in the DNA of a dynastic party that even when you are hoisting the National Flag, you want to overwhelm that flag and violate the Flag Code by putting your own cutout behind the flag,” he said.

Earlier today, on the day that the Bharat Jodo Yatra came to an end, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the National flag at the party office in Srinagar. In the presence of party MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, the tricolour was hoisted.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has created a situation in Kashmir in which Congress leader Rahul Gandhi could unfurl the Tricolour at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad told ANI that Rahul Gandhi could unfurl the Tricolour since PM Modi repealed Art 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that terrorism and fear persisted in Kashmir during the Congress regime.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, resumed on Friday morning from the National Highway-44, Banihal Railway station, in the Ramban region of Uttar Pradesh. Security was increased in the area following the recent twin blasts on the outskirts of Jammu city on January 22, which shook a bustling community in Narwal and injured at least nine persons.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which began on September 7 in Kanyakumari and ends today in Srinagar, has covered 3,970 kilometres, 12 states, and two Union territories.