Hardik Pandya : Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya has once again found himself at the center of controversy, but this time the issue is not related to his performance on the field. A complaint has been filed against him over the manner in which the national flag was allegedly used during the celebration following India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final.
Victory Celebration Sparks Debate
After India defeated New Zealand national cricket team in the final, players celebrated the historic win at the stadium. During the celebrations, Pandya was seen sharing the moment with his girlfriend Mahika Sharma on the field.
Images and videos circulating online showed Pandya wrapping the Indian tricolour around his body while celebrating the victory. According to the complainant, he later lay down on the ground with the flag while celebrating with his partner.
Lawyer Files Police Complaint
A Pune-based lawyer, Wajid Khan, has submitted a complaint to the police alleging that the act amounts to disrespecting the national flag.
In his application, the lawyer argued that under India’s flag code and related laws, every citizen has a duty to maintain the dignity of the tricolour. He claimed that Pandya’s actions during the celebration crossed the line and hurt public sentiments.
Police Yet to Register FIR
The complaint was submitted at Shivajinagar Police Station. However, police officials said that an FIR has not been registered so far.
Authorities noted that the incident took place at Narendra Modi Stadium, where the World Cup final was played. Because of this, the matter may fall under the jurisdiction of the local police in Ahmedabad.
Investigation May Follow
Officials stated that they are examining the complaint and the legal aspects before deciding on further action. As of now, neither Pandya nor his representatives have issued a public response regarding the allegation.
The controversy has sparked discussions on social media, with opinions divided over whether the celebration was simply an emotional moment after a major victory or an act that violated the dignity of the national flag.