PM Modi Signs Flag to be Gifted to President Obama, Stirs Debate

New York:  A controversy erupted today over Prime Minister Narendra Modi signing an Indian flag to be gifted to US President Barack Obama.

PM Modi autographed the Indian flag for President Obama to be handed over to him by renowned Chef Vikas Khanna. pic.twitter.com/2ES9TZ6zXK

- ANI (@ANI_news) September 25, 2015

The signed flag was to be handed over to President Obama by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, who prepared the menu for PM Modi's dinner with over 40 top executives of America last night. But the flag was later taken away by officials of the ministry of external affairs, amid a flood of tweets questioning whether the flag code had been violated.

Many journalists suggested that it was a non-story, but online, there was a lot of criticism with "flag code" and #ModiDisrespectsTricolour becoming top trends on twitter.

Hon PM signs flag to be presented to US Pres by Chef Vikas Khanna & defies Flag code #PMSorryBolo@AamAadmiPartypic.twitter.com/FP9e7HzFkf

- Aashish Mehta (@aashishSmehta) September 25, 2015

RT @Shriyaketkar: @ndtv That's just wrong..that's our national flag ..you can't just sign it like a napkin

Ridiculous Twitter controversy over PM signing flag for @TheVikasKhanna to gift to Obama. Officials have now taken flag away to check code

- barkha dutt (@BDUTT) September 25, 2015

The Flag Code on general description of the National flag. Anything with 3 colours & blue spokes aint Indian flag. https://t.co/v9x2Tpc1OR

- Sniper (@avarakai) September 25, 2015

Vikas Khanna, a four-time Michelin-starred chef, cooked a feast on Thursday evening that included sandalwood saffron sherbet, paneer ravioli, saffron sheermal and mango-ginger soup. Many of the dishes were from his coffee table book on festival cuisine in India, which too, he will present President Obama.

PM Modi is scheduled to meet President Obama on Monday after his visit to the Silicon Valley. This is his second visit to the US since he took power last year.