Nation outraged: Assam teacher held for folding ‘Tricolour’ with feet

Guwahati: A government school headmistress in Assam was arrested on Saturday after a video showed her allegedly folding the national flag with the help of her legs on the school campus in Nagaon district’s Samaguri area.

The accused, Fatema Khatun, headmistress of Gopinath Dev Goswami High School, was booked under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and sent to 14-day judicial custody by the Nagaon CJM court.

In the viral clip, Khatun is seen placing the tricolour under her foot and attempting to fold it with her knees after pulling out the flagpole from the courtyard. Police said she had hoisted the flag on Independence Day in the presence of students but returned alone around 7:30 am the next morning to lower it.

According to Khatowal police station OC Sanjib Bora, the act was carried out “in an objectionable manner,” sparking outrage among locals. Villagers gathered at the school campus soon after, condemning the alleged insult.

Khatun, however, defended herself, claiming there was no Class IV staff available to perform the flag-lowering duty. “The clerk assigned for the task did not arrive on time, and the regular staff was on medical leave,” she said.

Officials confirmed that a show-cause notice has been issued to her by the Nagaon inspector of schools, while the state education department is considering suspension for negligence and dishonour to the national flag.

How to correctly fold the national flag? To fold the Indian flag (Tricolour) correctly, lay it flat, fold the saffron and green bands inward so the white band with the Ashoka Chakra is visible. Then, fold it again into a neat square, ensuring the Chakra is flanked by the saffron and green edges. Finally, carry the folded flag respectfully on your palms or forearms before storing it.