Agartala, 11th July 2026: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) marked its Foundation Day on Friday with a programme at Dharmanagar Government Degree College. The event, led by Sub-Divisional Coordinator Anikit Deb, saw the participation of around 10–12 supporters and members of the student organisation.
As part of the celebration, the group installed their organisational flag within the college premises. However, controversy erupted over the placement and use of the flags. Eyewitness accounts and photographs shared online indicate that the bamboo pole used to hoist the ABVP flag was wrapped with the Indian national flag. Moreover, the tricolour was visibly positioned just below the ABVP flag on the same pole.
This arrangement has triggered sharp debate among local educationists and conscious citizens, with many alleging disrespect to the national flag. Observers have pointed out possible violations of the Flag Code of India, 2002 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
The national flag must always occupy the highest and most honourable position whenever it is displayed alongside other flags. It cannot be hoisted on the same pole as any organisational, institutional, or religious flag. The tricolour must never be used as a covering for poles, stages, or decorative structures, and it should always fly freely with dignity. Under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, any insult or improper display of the national flag is a punishable offence, carrying up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion in Dharmanagar, with questions raised over whether the violation was intentional or the result of ignorance of the rules.
