New Delhi, Aug 29, 2022, By Special Correspondent

New Delhi, Aug 29: The joy over India's hard-fought five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022 was eclipsed with opposition parties questioning as to why Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah refused to hold the Indian national flag.

 

With Hardik Pandya clobbering spinner Mohammad Nawaz for a maximum to finish off the proceedings with two balls to spare, the victory paved way for celebrations among the Indian fans all over the world, but something apparently went wrong.

 

After Pandya hit the winning shot, one of Shah’s fellow spectators was spotted offering the Indian flag to him to celebrate the victory, which he politely refused though the match was already over.

 

While the Twitterati and opposition leaders slammed the BCCI secretary, who happens to be the son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, for not celebrating by waving the Tricolor, it is learnt that Shah had to abide by the rules of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) as he is the reigning ACC President. 

 

“Because he is president of the Asian Cricket Council. And as per code of conduct, he has to show neutrality against all stakeholders”, the tweet read.

 

But, several Congress leaders shared the video footage on social media and slammed Shah.

 

Tagging the footage of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary appearing to turn down an offer to wave the flag, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted in Hindi: "I have papa, keep the tricolour with you."

Congress leader Ajoy Kumar also tweeted the footage and wrote in Hindi: "Looks like the tricolour was of 'Khadi'... not of 'polyester'!"

Congress's Karnataka MLA Priyank Kharge asked why would Jay Shah refuse to wave the tricolour after India's victory against Pakistan.

"Any Indian would have done so reflexively. Did he want the Bhagwa Dhwaja or BJP flag?" he asked.

The Congress has been strongly criticising an amendment of the flag code under which the national flag can now be made of polyester and with the help of machines.

Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said "staying neutral as ACC (Asian Cricket Council) president doesn't at any point mean being disrespectful to any nation's flag, especially your own...."

In another tweet, Chaturvedi said the tricolour in hand is a symbol of the resolve and loyalty to the nation and to "dismiss" it in this way is an "insult" to the country's 133 crore population.

Tagging the video, Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee tweeted: "The prodigal prince knows not of national pride. Jay Shah not wanting to hold the national flag is symptomatic of the larger hypocrisy of the ruling dispensation. They indulge in theatrics, lack values. Excel in jumlas, lack patriotism."

Commenting on the video, TMC leader Derek O'Brien said: "Dear Amit Shah, please tell the nation whether this act infuriates you? Whether the act hurts your nationalistic sentiments? Or, will this act be forgiven only because he's your son?"

"We are not looking for excuses. We are looking for concrete answers. Sincerely, an angry Indian," he said.

TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has argued that Jay Shah did not hold the tricolour because he was there as the ACC president and was following protocol.

 

"The same BJP hounded former VP Hamid Ansari when he (correctly by protocol) didn't salute the flag during Republic Day parade as he wasn't wearing headgear," Gokhale said.