Screengrab from the video of the incident circulating on social media platforms
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement
A 19-year-old youth from Hyderabad was arrested on Saturday (May 17, 2025) for removing the Israeli national flag displayed at Tank Bund as part of the ongoing Miss World 2025 pageant festivities.
Zakir, a bike mechanic by profession, was filmed pulling down the flag on Wednesday (May 14, 2025). The footage, which was widely shared across various social media platforms, quickly went viral. The video sparked a wave of outrage. Many online users condemned the act as an act of vandalism and a deliberate provocation, stating that it ‘hurt our nation’s image globally.’
The Saifabad police registered two separate cases in connection with the incident. In an official post on the social media platform ‘X’, Hyderabad City Police confirmed that the Station House Officer (SHO) of Saifabad Police Station had registered cases under Crime Numbers 138/2025 and 141/2025.
“The accused has been arrested, and further investigations are currently underway,” Inspector of Saifabad police, B. Kotaiah said on Saturday.
While the exact motive behind the act remains unclear, the officer assured the public that all angles would be explored during the ongoing investigation.
Published – May 17, 2025 04:53 pm IST
