District Senior Citizen Forum coordinator Amar Biswal on Wednesday filed an FIR against District Sports Officer (DSO) lokanatha Panigrahi, alleging that the Tri-colour was dishonored by the DSO on last October 31 while a district level youth festival was underway at the Kendrapara Autonomous College.
The complainant alleged in her FIR that a participant, who was performing yoga dance, allegedly dishonoured the national flag as the Tri colour was seen touching the ground after it fell from the hand of dancer.
The dancer, later, went on performing her dance allegedly by touching the Tri colour under her feet. Though the complainant and other intellectual masses protested the act and brought it to the notice of the DSO to stop the yoga dance, but ironically DSO Panigrahi did not take any steps in this regard .On the other hand, he allegedly encouraged dishonoring the flag by directing the yoga dancer to complete her performance.
As per the National Flag Code, allowing the flag to touch the ground or lie on floor or trail in water amounts to dishonouring it. When contacted, Kendrapara Town police station IIC Pramod Kumar lenka stated that he had received an FIR in this regard and started an investigation.
SP Satish Gajavhiye stated that a committee had been formed under the chairmanship of the Project Director of DRDA. “The committee will make an inquiry and submit a detailed report upon which action will be initiated,” he assured.