Probe ordered after upside-down flag at Sundargarh I-Day event
An upside-down tricolour at Sundargarh’s Independence Day ceremony prompted an official inquiry after witnesses corrected the flag on the spot.
On Saturday, August 16, 2026, the Indian national flag was hoisted upside down during the 80th Independence Day ceremony organised by the Subdega block administration at New Odisha High School playground in Sundargarh district, with the green band at the top and saffron at the bottom. In front of thousands of attendees, the tricolour was reportedly hoisted upside down, with the green band placed at the top and the saffron at the bottom. Witnesses said the error was pointed out immediately after the flag was raised, prompting officials to correct its position on the spot.
Who was responsible for the flag hoisting?
Subdega panchayat samiti chairperson Kunti Pradhan, who served as the chief guest, unfurled the flag. Block development officer Biswanath Sahu, vice‑chairperson Sushant Behera and headmistress Sabita Patnaik were also present on the dais. Pradhan said the BDO had entrusted the school teachers with arrangements for the flag hoisting.
“The BDO had entrusted the school teachers with arrangements for the flag hoisting. He has admitted that the mistake occurred during the celebration,” she told reporters.
She further noted that, as the chief guest, she had unfurled the flag as part of the ceremony, and that the responsibility for the logistical arrangements had been delegated to the school teachers by the BDO. The witnesses in the crowd observed the inversion of the colours immediately after the flag was raised and alerted the officials present, who then acted to correct the flag’s orientation on the spot.
What actions have been taken after the incident?
Pradhan said she has directed the BDO to conduct an inquiry into the incident. Repeated attempts to contact the BDO, Biswanath Sahu, for comment went unanswered.
The episode has drawn criticism over the mishandling of the National Flag during an official Independence Day ceremony. Observers expressed concern that such an error occurred at a government‑organised event marking the nation’s 80th anniversary of independence. The flag was restored to its correct orientation promptly after the mistake was highlighted, but the incident prompted calls for a formal review of the procedures followed for flag hoisting at the Subdega block ceremony.
Pradhan reiterated that she had instructed the BDO to investigate how the mistake happened and to ensure that similar lapses are avoided in future celebrations. The BDO’s admission that the error occurred during the celebration, as relayed by Pradhan, remains the only official acknowledgment of the lapse to date.
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What happened at the Independence Day event in Sundargarh district?
The Indian national flag was hoisted upside down with the green band at the top and saffron at the bottom during the 80th Independence Day ceremony organised by the Subdega block administration at New Odisha High School playground.
Who was responsible for hoisting the flag at the Sundargarh Independence Day ceremony?
Subdega panchayat samiti chairperson Kunti Pradhan, who served as the chief guest, unfurled the flag.
How was the mistake with the flag discovered and corrected?
Witnesses in the crowd noted the mistake immediately after the flag was raised and informed the officials present, who then corrected the flag’s position on the spot.
What action did the Subdega panchayat samiti chairperson take after the incident?
Pradhan said she has directed the BDO to conduct an inquiry into the incident.
What did the BDO admit regarding the flag hoisting arrangements?
He has admitted that the mistake occurred during the celebration.
Why did the incident draw criticism?
The episode has drawn criticism over the mishandling of the National Flag during an official Independence Day ceremony.
Was the BDO reachable for comment after the incident?
Repeated attempts to contact the BDO, Biswanath Sahu, for comment went unanswered.
Where did the Independence Day ceremony take place in Sundargarh?
The ceremony took place at the New Odisha High School playground in Sundargarh district’s Subdega block.
Ansuya Minz
Senior District Correspondent, Sundargarh
Ansuya Minz has covered Sundargarh district for six years, reporting on the steel belt's industry, tribal welfare policy, and the Rourkela sports ecosystem. She is based in Rourkela.
View all articles by Ansuya →
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