Stating the “claim to be untrue”, the Centre’s press wing has rebuffed social media posts claiming that the government has instructed denial of ration to people not buying the national flag.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) factcheck took to Twitter and said that no such instruction has been given by the Central government. The clarification came after a video purportedly showing some people alleging that they were forced to buy a national flag to get ration went viral on social media.
In the video, a man can be seen complaining that he was asked to buy a national flag for Rs 20 when he went to a ration store to pick up provisions. The PIB factcheck said that the “errant” ration shop has been suspended for violating orders of government and misrepresenting facts.
The widely-circulated video drew sharp reactions from the opposition Congress and BJP MP Varun Gandhi.
In a Facebook post in Hindi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that ration card holders were being forced to buy the national flag by the shopkeepers, and accused the BJP of selling “nationalism” and hurting the poor’s self-respect. Sharing the viral video, the former Congress chief said tricolour is our pride and it resides in every Indian’s heart.
“Nationalism can never be sold. It is shameful that while giving ration, poor are being asked to cough up Rs 20 for the tricolour. Along with the tricolour, the BJP government is also attacking the self-respect of the poor of our country,” he said.
Varun Gandhi also alleged that ration card holders were being forced to buy the national flag as a condition to avail the ration and said it will be unfortunate if the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Independence become a burden on the poor.
“It is shameful to force the poor to pay for the ‘Tiranga’ and deny them their food. ‘Tiranga’ lives in the heart of every Indian,” Varun Gandhi said in a tweet.
As part of its ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ programme, the BJP-led Centre has urged people to hoist or display the national flag at their homes from August 13 to 15.
Meanwhile, Karnal police said that they have initiated stern actions against the ration shopkeeper and his license was also suspended.
“We are giving Tiranga to people who are willing to buy it, at Rs 20 through PDS shops. We came to know that a depot holder made ration beneficiaries forcefully purchase flags. Admin initiated stringent action against him & his license was suspended,” said Anish Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Karnal.
