Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday, April 15, refused to cut an inauguration ribbon that carried the colours of the Indian national flag during a Handicrafts & Handloom Exhibition at Kashmir Haat in Srinagar.
The Chief Minister was scheduled to inaugurate the “Know Your Artisan” programme when he noticed that the ribbon used for the ceremony was designed in saffron, white and green, resembling the Tricolour.
On seeing this, Abdullah declined to cut it and asked the organisers to remove it carefully instead.
“Take it down and handle it with respect”: Omar Abdullah
Instead of proceeding with the usual ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Chief Minister called the organisers and instructed them to preserve the ribbon.
He asked them to untie it from one side and keep it safely without cutting or damaging it. The inauguration was then completed without the ribbon being cut.
The gesture was seen as a move reflecting respect for the Indian national flag and the protocols associated with it.
“Presence of mind and respect for the Tricolour”
Officials and attendees at the event said Omar Abdullah acted immediately after noticing the design of the ribbon. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, legislators, and senior officials.
After the brief interruption, the Chief Minister continued with the programme and also interacted with artisans and exhibitors at the fair.
A statement from the event highlighted that the action was in line with respect for national symbols and ceremonial norms.
