Dear PM Modi, What's The Protocol?

NEW DELHI: The Indian Prime Minister must be a shade of deep red currently, as a video that clearly shows the him walking off whilst the Indian National Anthem was being played in Russia is doing the rounds on the internet. The protocol, as many are aware, is that one must stand in attention for the National Anthem.

PM Modi, however, started walking following a gesture by a Russian official when the military band was playing India’s national anthem at the Vnukova II airport. Another official then stopped the Indian PM, following which the Prime Minister stepped back in stood in the attention pose -- as per protocol.

Embarrassing, indeed, but this is not the first time the Indian PM has caught himself in an awkward position regarding protocol. During the ASEAN Summit, PM Modi found himself staring at an inverted Indian flag -- again, a HUGE deviation from protocol. Japanese PM Shinzo Abe apparently noticed the inverted flag, whereas PM Modi didn’t realise anything was amiss, going about business as usual. Officials noticed the error later on and notified the organisers.

In another blooper, PM Modi appeared to be wiping his face with a tri-colour scarf on Yoga Day.

Here’s the video from the incident in Russia:



In the above incidents, the Prime Minister clearly flouted protocol. However, PM Modi has also landed in the dock for following protocol itself. An article in The Citizen following Republic Day depicted a photo of the Indian PM and other leaders sitting in comfort, shielded by umbrellas, as war-widows stood in the pouring rain.

In the article Rashmi Oberoi wrote:

“Of prime importance and first on the long list of learnings is on how to handle the ‘war widows’ and the dependents of martyrs with a little more humane approach and tact, especially while handing out bravery medals and citations at the Republic Day parade. The bereaved family is already under tremendous mental trauma, extremely disturbed and emotionally drained. So then, what is the need to bring the family member on the podium and have him/her facing the President while the whole story of their outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice is read out?

It makes better sense to narrate the entire episode while they are walking up to the dais and then handing over the citation with minimum delay so that they can make their way back to their place of seating. Under such trying circumstances it is rather challenging to maintain your composure as it is but natural for the person to re-live the tragedy once again.

It is also rather dismal and upsetting to see only the President and the three Service Chiefs stand up in respect during the solemn award ceremony while the other dignitaries watch the whole show, sitting comfortably in their seats. Decency demands that everyone stands up respectfully when the martyred soldier’s family member comes up to receive the award. This is nothing more than basic courtesy and good manners and well all-round graciousness being shown at such a grave occasion.”

Of course, PM Modi isn’t the only leader confused by protocol. Recently, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar found himself in trouble as an image emerged showing him strolling along in shabbily dressed clothes without so much as saluting or even acknowledging the armed forces' Guard of Honour.

Or take an image of the Delhi police chief, where he appeared alongside the inverted Indian flag much to consternation of India’s protocol-savvy folk.

The Indian public however has been fairly forgiving of the above protocol gaffes. After all, to err is human, even if you’re a political figure who should know better.

This same public, interestingly, wasn’t so understanding when a family -- purportedly Muslim -- didn’t stand up while the National Anthem was playing at a movie theatre. The crowd disrupted the entire screening and heckled the family, forcing them to eventually leave the theatre.

It’s good to know that the Indian public is patriotic enough to understand protocol, when it counts (end sarcasm).



PS: Thank god none of these gaffes involved Hamid Ansari, Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan, or Rahul Gandhi. The bhakts would really have had a field day on social media.