Singapore Police Issue a Hard‑Hearted Warning Over a Flag‑Tearing Mishap
It’s not every day you hear that a ripped flag can land you in hot water. But that’s exactly what happened to Avijit Das Patnaik, once an employee of DBS Bank, who posted a fiery image on Facebook that sparked outrage across the island.
The Controversial Post
- Late August, the 44‑year‑old shared a photo on the “Singapore Indians and Expats” group: a black T‑shirt covers a torn Singapore flag, revealing the Indian flag underneath.
- The caption, written in Hindi, read “Phir bhi dil hai…” – a nod to a popular song that swears love for India, while slightly suggesting a heart that remains tied to the motherland.
- He claimed it was a third‑party design and that he didn’t intend to offend anyone.
Police Response
Singapore’s police swung into action on Oct 3, following a thorough investigation under the Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules. The law says everyone must treat the flag with respect. The officers, after consulting the Attorney‑General’s Chambers, slapped Patnaik a stern warning to keep the flag higher than the internet’s lower‑level comments.
DBS Bank’s Roster
- Shortly after the post, DBS issued a statement on Aug 28: “We strongly disapprove of such actions by our staff.”
- Patnaik was counselled, a disciplinary panel huddled, and by Aug 24 he was no longer with the bank.
Public Reaction
Netizens swooned—well, shouted—at the image, calling it a disrespectful act against Singapore’s symbol. The photo was taken down soon after the outcry, but the drama had already spiced up social media feeds.
Bottom Line
In the end, the flag’s dignity was preserved, the bank notified the authorities, and Patnaik received a hard lesson about how tearing a flag, even metaphorically, can lead to serious consequences.
