Hat or turban? Coin controversy mars martyr function

CHANDIGARH, Sept. 27: Controversy marred the function of Bhagat Singh's 101st birth anniversary when chief minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal objected to the image of the martyr used on the coins released. Mr Badal told Union tourism minister Ms Ambika Soni, who was present at the function, that his photograph in a hat, which has been embossed on the new coins, was not right.
"I would like to point out that the official portrait of Shaheed Bhagat Singh is that in a turban," Mr Badal said.
An embarrassed Ms Soni told Mr Badal that the coins have been issued by the Union finance ministry and she would take up the matter with the ministry.
"Even Congress leaders from Punjab have pointed out the hat issue to me. I will take up the matter with the finance ministry," Ms Soni said.
Mr Badal said even the statue of Bhagat Singh inside the Parliament House complex in Delhi was one in which the martyr was shown in a turban.
The function was held at this ancestral village of Bhagat Singh, 100 km from Chandigarh.

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