National flag falls from 405-ft pole in Hosapete during R-Day celebrations

Those present and the police trying to raise the national flag at the 76th Republic Day celebrations in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district, on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

In an unexpected incident, the national flag fell from the pole after it was unfurled to mark the 76th Republic Day celebrations at Hosapete in Vijayanagara district on Sunday.

The huge tricolour flag fell instantly from the 405-ft tall pole, one of the tallest flagpoles in the country, just a few minutes after Housing Minister and Vijayanagara in-charge B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan unfurled it during the Republic Day function at the Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar District Stadium in Hosapete in the morning.

The flag is said to have fallen to the ground after the rope connecting it snapped.

As per information provided by those present during the celebrations, Mr. Khan unfurled the flag at about 8.50 a.m. and the flag fell to the ground at about 9.05 a.m. when the Minister was receiving a guard of honour.

While some panicked, many rushed to the flag-post to raise the national flag from the ground to restore its dignity.

In his response to the media later, Mr. Khan held the local officials responsible for the lapse and promised stringent action.

Chitwadgi Police have registered a case against contractor Nagaraj.