UP electricity department worker sacked for waving Palestinian flag during Eid

The department acted after the visuals of the incident went viral on social media.-Representative photo

A contract worker associated with the electricity department in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has been dismissed for allegedly waving a Palestinian flag during Eid celebrations, officials said.

The department acted after the visuals of the incident went viral on social media. According to the officials, Saqib Khan, who was stationed at the Kailashpur powerhouse, displayed the flag following Eid prayers on March 31.

Executive Engineer Sanjeev Kumar told PTI that the act was perceived as “anti-national,” leading to immediate departmental action.

“Saqib Khan, a contractual employee at the Kailashpur powerhouse, waved a Palestinian flag after Eid prayers and shared an image of it on social media,” he said.

The executive engineer added that upon learning of the incident, the department considered it a serious violation and requested the concerned contract agency to terminate Khan’s services and confirm compliance.

In a similar incident, eight individuals were arrested in Saharanpur after a video showing them waving Palestinian flags and shouting slogans during Eid celebrations went viral. Authorities are working to identify more individuals captured in the footage, PTI reported, with legal action underway.

Superintendent of Police (City) Vyom Bindal said a video surfaced on social media showing youths waving the flag of a foreign nation. “An investigation is ongoing, and appropriate action will follow,” he said.

He noted that after Eid prayers at Ambala Road Eidgah, a group of youngsters raised slogans and waved foreign flags, which were quickly removed by police.

Among those arrested are Mohd Uzaif, Mohd Falak, Abdul Kareem, Uzaif Khan, and Abdul Raheem.

According to officials, the group was part of a procession from Eidgah to Ghantaghar, during which Palestinian and Indian flags were waved and pro-Palestine slogans were shouted.

Police have registered a case against approximately 60 individuals under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 189(3) (unlawful assembly), 189(5) (statements inciting public mischief), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), and 223 (disobedience to a lawful order).