As right wingers wrongly target Hamid Ansari, question his patriotism

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The News Minute| January 26, 2015| 8.30 pm IST Vice President Hamid Ansari trended on Twitter on Republic Day as right wing Twitterati questioned his patriotism.The outrage was over Ansari not saluting the national flag during the Republic Day parade. A picture of Ansari and his wife standing next to American President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee, all saluting the flag was doing the rounds since morning. The attack was on the basis that Ansari being a Muslim was disrespectful of the Indian flag. Those who questioned Ansari did not hesitate to use the choicest of words against him like â€˜Jihadiâ€™, â€˜Anti-Indianâ€™ and â€˜anti-nationalist.â€™ MP from Telangana and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi wrote an opinion piece on this and asked, â€œIt seems that no matter how many times a Muslim swears his allegiance to the Indian nation, no matter how successful he becomes in the country, there will always be doubts over his patriotism. Even if you are the vice-president of India, if you are a Muslim, you still have to prove your love for the country.â€ This is where all those who outraged went wrong. Section VI of the Flag Code of India says, â€œDuring the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag, or when the flag is passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present should face the flag and stand at attention. Those present in uniform should render the appropriate salute." This has been further explained by Gurdeep Singh Sappal, Officer on Special Duty to the Vice President of India CEO & Editor-in-Chief, Rajya Sabha TV through these tweets. 1/1Protocol: When National Anthem is played, Principal Dignitary & persons in uniform take salute. Those in civil dress stand in attention â€” Gurdeep Singh Sappal (@gurdeepsappal) January 26, 2015 2/2At R'Day Parade, President of India, as Supreme Commander, takes salute. As per protocol, Vice President is required 2 stand in attention â€” Gurdeep Singh Sappal (@gurdeepsappal) January 26, 2015 3/3When the Vice President is the Principal Dignitory, he salutes during National Anthem, wearing a head gear. As done at NCC camp this week â€” Gurdeep Singh Sappal (@gurdeepsappal) January 26, 2015 Sec VI- Flag Code of India: All persons present shud face Flag & stand at attention. Those present in uniform shud render appropriate salute â€” Gurdeep Singh Sappal (@gurdeepsappal) January 26, 2015 No wonder then that many are finding Owaisi's question legitimate. Tweet

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