On Wednesday, thousands of angry supporters of outgoing US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol and clashed with the police, which resulted in the death of at least four people including a woman. As photos and videos of the unprecedented violence went viral, what grabbed the attention of Twitterati was the presence of the Indian flag in the crowd of Trump supporters who were waiving American flags and raising questions on Presidential Elections.
Notably, the Indian tricolour was apparently the only foreign flag being waved at the protest site. As of now, it is not clear who the flag bearer is and what are his/her political affiliations.
Taking to Twitter, BJP Member of Parliament Varun Gandhi slammed the act, saying it’s a “fight, we definitely don’t need to participate in”.
Watch the video here:
Why is there an Indian flag there??? This is one fight we definitely don’t need to participate in… pic.twitter.com/1dP2KtgHvf
— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) January 7, 2021
Several netizens including leaders criticised the Indian flag being used at a protest concerning the US election results. Many called the person was ‘Desi Trump supporter’.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that the Indian flag there is a warning to all of us.
Unfortunately, @varungandhi80, there are some Indians with the same mentality as that Trumpist mob, who enjoy using the flag as a weapon rather than a badge of pride, & denounce all who disagree with them as anti-nationals & traitors. That flag there is a warning to all of us. https://t.co/uJIaDlLklt
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 7, 2021
Senior Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said one must feel “ashamed” for holding the tricolour “in such violent & criminal acts in another country”.
Whoever is waving this Indian flag should feel ashamed. Don’t use our tricolour to participate in such violent & criminal acts in another country. pic.twitter.com/CuBMkq9Siu
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) January 7, 2021
Indian flag in the protest. we need to find those individuals and expose them. they are not us and one among us. @PMOIndia @AmitShah @IndianEmbassyUS https://t.co/HUpNyOhfBk
— Aravind Vijaya (@vindaravjgd) January 7, 2021
Dozens have forced their way to the top. More coming up the steps. Police are trying to bolster their numbers through the west doors but someone with a fire extinguisher is dousing them from above. The crowd only keeps cheering. pic.twitter.com/WA526jTBGo
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 6, 2021
Indian flag seen with Confederate flags at the US Capitol shows the developing strong links between a group of Indian diaspora & the far-right groups. As I have been warning it for years, this bringing bad name to the Indian diaspora community and also harming India's interest.
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) January 7, 2021
Taking a dig, comedian Vir Das addressed the flag bearer saying that a large crowd does not imply a “cricket match”.
Dear random Indian dude waving Indian flag at the #CapitolRiots
Every large crowd IS NOT A CRICKET MATCH!— Vir Das (@thevirdas) January 7, 2021
Meanwhile, outgoing US President Donald Trump on Thursday conceded defeat shortly after the Congress formally certified Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ victory in the 2020 November elections. Although adamant on his claim of electoral malpractice, Trump said that there will be “an orderly transition” to Biden’s presidency on January 20.
“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on 20th January,” Trump released a statement shortly after the US Congress pronounced its verdict.