Hardik Pandya Faces Complaint for ‘Disrespecting’ Indian Flag During T20 World Cup Celebration

Pending the complaint, which was filed at a Shivaji Nagar police station, is the witness of advocate Wajid Khan, who pleaded for actions against Pandya saying the national flag was being treated as disrespect when celebrating on the field.

And images of the Indian cricket team celebrating its thrilling third T20 World Cup victory went viral on social media as Pandya draped in the Tricolour, danced, ran around the pitch, and collapsed down on the stage — side-by-side with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma — while the flag was in use.

“You should have seen Hardik Pandya dancing with his girlfriend with his national flag pinned to his back,” Khan said to ANI. ‘Section 2 of the 1971 National Flag Act requires respect for the flag, but Pandya crossed that line.’ 

Police have accepted the complaint in Pune, but said the incident has divided people online. Some supporters say it just was youthful exuberance after a historic victory, whereas others contend that the national flag ought to get more respect during the fan party.

India defeated New Zealand by a series of 96 runs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, making it the first-ever team to claim the T20 World Cup title three times, the first to win the trophy on home soil. The celebrations were fiery, fierce and, now, legally shamed.

And as the drama escalates all eyes are on any moves of the police against Pandya to deal with this flag related complaint.