India vs Kuwait: Indian Football Team midfielder Jeakson Singh faces HEAVY backlash over wearing MEITEI Flag

India vs Kuwait: Indian Football Team midfielder Jeakson Singh was subjected to heavy backlash on socila media as he celebrated Blue Tiger’s win SAFF Championship 2023 Final. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu heroics in penalty guided Sunil chhetri and co to record NINTH SAFF title. However, the twitter seemed to be very displease with the midfielder.

Jeakson was seen wearing a Metei flag around his neck during the celebration, It was his way to plead for peace in Manipur.

“It was my Manipuri flag. I just wanted to tell Manipur and all of India to stay in peace and save Manipur. I want peace. It’s been two months now and fighting is still going on. I just wanted to bring the government’s and other people’s attention to get peace, you know.” said he later, when asked about it.

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Jeakson is carrying the Salai Taret Flag, or the flag of Kangleipak. It is a rectangle seven-colored flag that depicts the seven clan dynasties of Ancient Manipur’s Meitei people. Jeakson’s act comes in the midst of continuous unrest in Manipur between Meiteis and Kukis.

Several people have been killed in the ethnic violence since May 3 following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ against the Meitei community’s demand for a Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Jeakson Singh for sure going to create some controversy with this move. The 🇮🇳 defender collects his SAFF championships winners medal wearing what I think is the Kangleipak flag which is synonymous with Meitei nationalism pic.twitter.com/MBFYu1pHnp
— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) July 4, 2023

However, it being a regional secessionist flag is against the policies. People all over twitter were not short of words in critism of the Kerala Blasters midfielder’s actions. They even called in for strict actions to be taken against him.

India 1 (5) -1 (4) Kuwait: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu PENALTY heroics guide Blue…

@IndianFootball what is Jeakson doing with a regional secessionist flag in an International Tournament. There is no greater flag than that of our Nation India. Stringent action should be taken against Jeakson. @SCJudgments @AIFF_Insider pic.twitter.com/vfHUDzAVRh
— Siam Boy (@Aamtolzo) July 4, 2023

Are they representing India or the meitei extremists who burned churches and killed Kuki-Zo people in Manipur?
This act is highly distasteful at this critical juncture. @IndianFootball @IndianSportsLaw @IndSuperLeague @SportsIndia3 @Sports_NDTV @indianfootynet @FIFAcom pic.twitter.com/2DUOHKjGnN
— Pogrom Survivor (@Lulund_GuiteZo) July 4, 2023

Playing for India and wearing Meitei secessionist Flag begs the question of loyalty of Jeakson Singh to the Indian Nation. The entire stadium abounds with the national flag and he chose to drap himself in this anti-national symbol??@AIFF_Insider @Gandhi_Talks pic.twitter.com/ik7I8Wf9kv
— 𝒩𝑔𝒶𝓁𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝑔𝓅𝒶 (@BenjaminMa59017) July 4, 2023

https://twitter.com/ksoshillong1961/status/1676295802841620481?s=20

This Manipur player Jeakson Singh promoting this flag, which is widely used to attack and kill tribals in the current Manipur riot, inside the field should be seriously looked into. Even #FIFA doesn't allow promoting political issues. @IndianFootball @AJEnglish @FIFAcom #FIFA pic.twitter.com/3uTyh7G9nq
— J Hangz (@KJSHangz) July 4, 2023

Sunil Chhetri led the Indian Football team won the SAFF Championship 2023 with a stunning 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Kuwait. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s key stop won the victory for Igor Stimac’s team. Shabaib Alkhaldi of Kuwait gained his team the lead in the 13th minute with a tap-in goal. However, the Indian Football Team equalized in the 38th minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte brilliantly finished a well-placed pass from Sahal Abdul Samad to the nation’s joy.

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