Srinagar

Omar Abdullah on Wednesday declined to cut an inaugural ribbon designed in saffron, white and green stripes, instead untying it and returning it to organisers with instructions that it be kept respectfully.

Abdullah was inaugurating the Know Your Artisans at Kashmir Haat.

In a moment captured on camera and widely shared on social media, the chief minister was seen approaching the ribbon, then stopping after noticing that its colours resembled the Indian tricolour.

He was accompanied by Surinder Choudhary, adviser Nasir Aslam Wani and other officials.

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After the ribbon was removed, Abdullah continued with the rest of the inauguration proceedings at Kashmir Haat in the heart of Srinagar.