Concerns Raised Over Flag Representation in Netflix’s Kargil War Series
Colonel Vembu Shankar, a veteran of the Indian Army, has voiced his worries about a particular scene in Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar: The Untold Story of the Kargil War. He claims that the Indian National Flag is incorrectly displayed on the coffin of Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja in the series.
In a recent Instagram post, Shankar shared a screenshot from the show, highlighting a moment in which Siddharth, who plays Squadron Leader Ahuja, is depicted through a coffin carried by characters played by Mihir Ahuja and Abhay Verma. Mihir plays Flying Officer C.H. Bal Reddy, often called Baldy, while Abhay portrays Flying Officer Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal, known as Dhali.
Shankar pointed out that the placement of the Tricolour covering Ahuja’s coffin does not conform to the Flag Code of India. He expressed disbelief over how such an oversight occurred, especially given the involvement of military advisors and appropriate authorities in the production. “I am shocked that the authorities at the Service Headquarters and military advisors missed this detail,” he stated.
The veteran has urged the makers of the series to recognize this mistake and apologize through mainstream media outlets. This concern arises in light of real-life events involving Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, an Indian Air Force officer who lost his life during the Kargil War in 1999. Ahuja was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for his heroic service during the conflict.
Operation Safed Sagar portrays the role of the Indian Air Force during the Kargil War, focusing on the high-altitude air operation known as Operation Safed Sagar. The series features a talented cast, including Jimmy Shergill, Vinay Pathak, and Dia Mirza, among others.
As of now, the creators of Operation Safed Sagar have not responded to Colonel Shankar’s concerns or his request for an apology regarding the flag issue.
