On August 15, 2025, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) branch committee in Eloor, Ernakulam, faced an embarrassing gaffe when it mistakenly hoisted the Congress party’s flag instead of India’s national tricolor during Independence Day celebrations.
The error, attributed to an elderly CPI(M) leader and office-bearer of the party’s Senior Citizens’ Forum, stemmed from a mix-up with stored party flags, according to party sources. The Congress flag, with its saffron, white, and green stripes and hand symbol, was raised instead of the tricolor, which features the Ashoka Chakra, in front of local leaders and members.
The mistake went unnoticed for approximately 10 minutes until a participant alerted the gathering, leading to the swift removal of the Congress flag and its replacement with the national flag. A senior CPI(M) district leader, after verifying the incident, confirmed it as an honest error, noting the leader’s admission of confusing the flags due to their similar colors. Given the leader’s age and the unintentional nature of the act, the party opted against disciplinary measures.
The incident sparked a frenzy on social media, with viral photos and videos shared widely on platforms like X, where users such as @AsianetNewsML and @shabeeraa mocked the CPI(M), some alleging the party tried to deflect blame onto Congress. The blunder fueled criticism from opposition parties, with Congress leaders accusing the CPI(M) of disrespecting national symbols, referencing historical claims of the Left labeling Independence Day as “Apathu 15” (Danger 15).
CPI(M) leaders defended their patriotic credentials, highlighting their role in the freedom struggle and efforts since 2021 to hoist the tricolor at party offices to counter BJP’s nationalist rhetoric. The mix-up has reignited debates over the CPI(M)’s relationship with national symbols, amplifying both ridicule and defenses online.
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