Hardik Pandya faces a legal FIR over disrespect for the national flag

An official complaint has been filed at Shivaji Nagar Police Station, Bengaluru, against the Indian team's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya for disrespecting the national flag during celebrations following India’s T20 World Cup victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The complaint has been submitted by Pune-based lawyer Wajed Khan Bidkar, who has demanded appropriate action in the matter. He submitted a written application at the Shivajinagar Police Station seeking action against the cricketer.

According to the complaint, several videos of the Indian team's on-field celebrations after winning the tournament have gone viral on social media. In one such video, Pandya is seen celebrating with the Tricolour draped over his shoulder while dancing and running on the field.

The complaint also alleges that during the winning celebrations, Hardik Pandya is lying on the stage with his girlfriend Mahika Sharma, and the national flag is on his shoulder, which is allegedly a disrespect to the national flag.

"You must have seen the T20 World Cup here. Hardik Pandya was dancing with his girlfriend in celebration of his victory. The national flag was tied to his back... According to Section 2 of the 1971 National Flag Act, we should respect the dignity of the national flag. However, Hardik Pandya was so lost in the celebration of his victory that he was lying with his girlfriend, wearing the national flag... I believe it is an insult to the national flag," Advocate Wajid Khan told.

"I have filed a complaint with the Shivaji Nagar police station. When I went to file the complaint, they told me the incident occurred there, not here. So I told them that the national flag is a symbol of the entire nation, and we can file a complaint with the Shivaji Nagar police. They have accepted my complaint and provided me with a copy. Let's see what happens next. I have filed the complaint," Khan added.

India has successfully defended their T20 World Cup title, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs. The victory made India the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to win consecutive titles after their 2024 win, and the first to lift the trophy three times (2007, 2024, and 2026). Hardik Pandya made an important contribution to India’s title campaign. He scored 217 runs in 9 innings, including 2 half-centuries, while he took 9 wickets with the ball.