J&K: 2 scribes show disrespect to National Anthem & National Flag at army event

Srinagar, May 25: Two journalists were asked to leave an army event by a senior army officer, as they were sitting when the National Anthem was being played and the Indian National Flag was being unfurled.

According to reports, the shocking incident took place on Tuesday, May 24, when a parade of recruits was passing at the regimental centre of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment.

The event was also attended by the Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation and senior PDP leader Syed Basharat Ahmed, besides senior bureaucrats.

The two journalists who allegedly showed disrespect were identified as Kashmir Reader correspondent Junaid Nabi Bazaz and a correspondent of the newspaper Rising Kashmir.

In his defence, "The army had invited us to cover the event, not to participate in it. When the Indian anthem was played, I was jotting down notes for my story."

A senior Army Colonel Burn reportedly told them, "All people here stood up for the anthem and the flag except you. We don't need people like you here, so leave."

A report published in Kashmir Reader reported that an Army spokesman Colonel NN Joshi apologised to both journalists for Burn's behaviour.

OneIndia News