Salute at Republic Day Parade: Vice President Hamid Ansari says he stuck to protocol

According to the Flag Code of India, Section VI, only those in uniform may ‘render the appropriate salute’.

“During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present should face the flag and stand at attention. Those present in uniform should render the appropriate salute… A dignitary may take the salute without a head dress,” the section states.

Some people had used social media platforms to question Ansari’s patriotism over the incident.