National Flag Not Desecrated On 15th August, Plea Based On “Rumour Mongering”: State Tells Calcutta High Court In Suvendu Adhikari’s PIL

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday continued hearing a PIL filed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, claiming that the Indian National Flag had been desecrated by “members of certain communities” in a state-funded primary school.

On an earlier occasion, a bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya had issued notice to the State through the Advocate General, calling for affidavits over what transpired on that day.

Today, AG SN Mookherjee submitted that no flag had been desecreated and that he was in possession of the flag in question, which did not show any signs of tampering.

AG submitted that the PIL was filed on the basis of “rumour mongering” in the absence of actual defacement of the flag.

It was submitted: “Rumour mongering led to these communal disturbances. This area is not usually peaceful, and there have been disturbances between religious groups. Even the concerned school’s principal has given it to us in writing that the flag was not desecrated.”

Upon hearing these submissions, the Bench directed their queries to the counsel for the petitioner Suvendu Adhikari, who submitted that they were in possession of video footage shot by locals, which showed the alleged desecration.

However, upon being directed to place the footage on record, Counsel clarified: “Only one correction milord, we don't have video of the flag being desecrated but only of people saying that it had been desecrated.”

Matter has been adjourned for further hearing upon the video footage being placed on record.

Case: Suvendu Adhikari v State of West Bengal & ors

Coram: Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya