Indian Army and U.S. Army senior leaders conduct a troop inspection during the Yudh Abhyas 2010 opening ceremony of the annual joint and bilateral training exercise Oct. 31 at Buckner Physical Fitness Center, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Photo: Specialist Ashley M. Armstrong
Specialist Ashley M. Armstrong, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command of the US Army quoted U.S. Army Alaska Deputy Commander, Colonel Mark S. Lowe, acting exercise director as saying in his dispatch, “The exercise is designed to build lasting friendships through the promotion of cooperation among our two great democracies while sharing training, cultural exchange and improving partner readiness.” Lowe was also reported to have said, “The relationship between U.S. Army Pacific and the Indian military grows stronger on a day-to-day basis with these training events.”
Senior officers from U.S. Army Alaska and the Indian Army salute both nations' colors during the Yudh Abhyas 2010 opening ceremony. Photo: Specialist Ashley M. Armstrong
Soldiers of U.S. Army Alaska and the Indian Army stand in formation. Photo: Specialist Ashley M. Armstrong
Photo: Specialist Ashley M. Armstrong
Last week, Donna Miles of the American Forces Press Service reported the enthusiasm of US Army Pacific (USARPAC) Commander, Lieutenant General Benjamin R. Mixon. “It’s going to be a great exercise,” she quoted him as saying.
The last such exercise was held a year back at the Indian Army base at Babina, near Jhansi in Central India when troops from the US 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, deployed from Hawaii with 18 Stryker vehicles. The Javelin anti-tank guided missile was also demonstrated.
‘After the formal portion of the ceremony the participants were given opportunity to eat cake decorated with both nations’ colors, symbolizing their unity, and to interact with soldiers from their allied army,’ wrote Specialist Armstrong.
Technically, maybe. Sachin Tendulkar got slammed for cutting a cake with the Indian flag on it in April.
Here’s the operative law in question, Section 2. I think the idea is that the offense should be committed with the intent to ‘bring into contempt’ the national flag. But it doesn’t explicitly say so.
THE PREVENTION OF INSULTS TO NATIONAL HONOUR ACT, 1971 ACT NO. 69 OF 1971 [23rd December, 1971.]
An Act to prevent insults to national honour.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Twenty-second Year of the Republic of India as follows :-
1. Short title and extent.
(1) Short title and extent. This Act may be called the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
2. Insult to Indian National Flag and Constitution of India.
Insult to Indian National Flag and Constitution of India. Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Explanation 1.-Comments expressing disapprobation or criticism of the Constitution or of the Indian National Flag or of any measures of the Government with a view to obtain an amendment of the Constitution of India or an alteration of the Indian National Flag by lawful means do not constitute an offence under this section.
Explanation 2.-The expression “Indian National Flag” includes any picture, painting, drawing or photograph, or other visible re- presentation of the Indian National Flag, or of any part or parts thereof, made of any substance or represented on any substance.
Explanation 3.-The expression “public place” means any place intended for use by, or accessible to, the public and includes any public conveyance.
3. Prevention of singing of Indian National Anthem, etc.
Prevention of singing of Indian National Anthem, etc. Whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
“‘After the formal portion of the ceremony the participants were given opportunity to eat cake decorated with both nations’ colors, symbolizing their unity, and to interact with soldiers from their allied army,’ wrote Specialist Armstrong”
Does that not mess up Indian National Flag Act?
Just asking… out of curiosity.
@uttiyo