Indian footballer causes uproar for celebrating SAFF Championship win with Meitei flag

Indian footballer Jeakson Singh has caused an uproar from football fans after he wrapped a Meitei flag around his back while celebrating the team’s SAFF Championship victory on Tuesday.

Indian football fans from Manipur – especially those belonging to the minority Kuki-Zo tribe – took to Twitter to express outrage after spotting the seven-striped Salai Taret Flag during Team India’s celebrations.

The Salai Taret Flag is a striped flag made up of seven colours which represent the seven Meitei clans of the Kangleipak kingdom, which preceded the present Manipur state. The flag has been used by Meitei people during the recent ethnic clashes in Manipur, which has led to accusations of it being a ‘secessionist’ flag.

The controversial flag was also seen above a giant Indian tricolour being flown by fans, which led to further outrage. The Flag Code of India says that “No other flag… shall be placed higher than or above or… side by side with the National Flag.”

Jeakson Singh clarifies ‘Meitei’ flag controversy; wishes for peace for Manipur

Midfielder Jeakson Singh, who is at the centre of the controversy, clarified his position through social media posts.

He says that his use of the flag was to bring attention to the ethnic violence in Manipur, and was not meant to hurt the sentiments of any particular community. He dedicated the SAFF Championship win to all Indians, and wished for the return of peace in Manipur.

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A post shared by Jeakson Singh Thounaojam (@jackthouna)

Speaking to ESPN after the SAFF Championship victory, Jeakson Singh claimed that the flag wrapped around his back represented the state of Manipur, and he carried it as a gesture of peace and harmony.

“It’s my Manipur flag. I just wanted to…what’s happening in Manipur…i just wanted to tell everyone in India and Manipur to stay in peace and not fight,” Singh said.

“I want peace. It’s been 2 months now and still fighting is going on. I don’t want that kind of thing to happen more and I just want to bring the government’s and other people’s attention to get peace you know. My family is safe but there are lot of families who have suffered and lost their home and all.”