Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day attire sparked a political and social media debate on Saturday after Congress leaders criticised the colour arrangement of his tricolour pocket square.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera mocked the Prime Minister over the sequence of colours, suggesting it resembled Ireland’s flag. Supriya Shrinate also questioned the arrangement, arguing that it did not follow the usual saffron-white-green sequence of the Indian Tricolour.
The remarks triggered a wider discussion online, with several users defending Modi and pointing out that he was wearing a three-fold pocket square, not the national flag. Some users also referred to the Flag Code’s provisions regarding the display of the national flag vertically, under which saffron appears on the flag’s right and therefore on the viewer’s left.
Congress leaders criticise pocket square
Khera posted on X that Modi appeared to have worn the Tricolour “in Urdu” or could perhaps be celebrating Ireland’s Independence Day, referring to Urdu’s right-to-left writing direction.
Shrinate similarly questioned the colour sequence of the pocket square and said it appeared closer to Ireland’s green-white-orange flag than India’s saffron-white-green Tricolour.
The comments quickly gained traction on social media, with supporters and critics debating whether the colour arrangement was actually incorrect.
Several users argued that the pocket square should not be treated as the national flag because it did not feature the Ashoka Chakra. Others pointed out that the way the folded fabric was arranged could alter the apparent order of the colours.
What did PM Modi wear on Independence Day?
Modi attended the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort wearing a traditional red bandhani or bandhej-style turban, paired with a white kurta-pyjama and brown jacket.
The tie-and-dye craft is traditionally associated with Rajasthan and Gujarat. Modi’s Independence Day turbans have frequently attracted attention for their colours and regional craftsmanship.
Overall, the pocket-square episode became one of the lighter but politically charged talking points surrounding Modi’s 80th Independence Day celebrations.
