When Mandira Bedi came on air to kick off the final between Sri Lanka and Australia, she was in a saree, designed by Puneet Nanda of designer label Satya Paul. Now this was no ordinary saree, it has flags of all countries in the World Cup. The controversary: India’s flag emerge in the folds of her saree below her knee, near her foot. The Pakistani flag collage stood out on her bare right shoulder! The TV channels caught it first – soon everyone had caught on. Eventually Bedi was back on air with another saree. However, the damage was already done. Puneet Nanda stated in his apology, “I didn’t think our flag would end up near Bedi’s foot. I am sorry.” Bedi also presented an apology to fellow Indians who were upset about her wearing the flag-themed saree. Obviously this wasn’t enough. Shiv Sainiks were out on the streets of Indore on Sunday protesting against what they called an insult to the ‘National Tricolour’ while in Jaipur an FIR was filed against Bedi and sari designer Nanda. In Chandigarh, Bajrang Dal activists protested against Mandira Bedi and insisted rigorous punishment against her for denigrating the national flag. In Jaipur, Gyan Prakash, the Director of Save India Foundation, filed the complaint at the Shipra Path police station against the duo, saying "in the sari worn by Mandira Bedi and designed by Puneet Nanda, the Tricolour was printed below the knee and was shown as a show piece." The case was registered under the ‘Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act 1971.’ Under the Act, using the flag as a costume or uniform of any description or embroidering or printing it on cushion, handkerchief, napkin or any dress material are prohibited. By Tirusha Dave