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| Rohit Sharma |
India's captain Rohit Sharma, who led Team India to an undefeated victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, faces criticism for planting the Indian tricolor on the ground during celebrations.
Detailed Overview:
T20 World Cup Victory:
Rohit Sharma recently guided Team India to an extraordinary triumph in the T20 World Cup held in the Caribbean and the USA. This victory marked India's first ICC trophy in 11 years and the first time a team has won the T20 World Cup undefeated. Rohit's leadership, both with the bat and in the field, was widely praised.
Controversial Celebration:
Following India's win against South Africa in the final on June 29, Rohit celebrated by planting the Indian tricolor on the ground in Barbados. He later used this image as his profile picture on his X account (formerly known as Twitter).
Fan Backlash:
Many fans reacted negatively to Rohit's choice of photo, accusing him of disrespecting the Indian flag. While Rohit’s intent was likely to signify India's cricketing dominance, the gesture was perceived as inappropriate, especially on foreign soil. Critics highlighted that the act could be interpreted as symbolizing ownership of the territory, which caused discontent among fans.
Legal Implications:
The primary concern among fans was the flag's state in the photograph, which appeared to be touching the ground. This is seen as a violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which explicitly states, "The flag shall not be allowed intentionally to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water."
Reactions:
The controversy has sparked widespread debate on social media, with opinions divided between those who see the gesture as a sign of pride and those who view it as disrespectful to the national flag.
Here are some of the reactions:
