In a peculiar kind of protest, the members of the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) on Friday gifted the Malabar Gold and Diamond store with an Indian national flag, for celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day. The members also gifted a book on the lives of freedom fighters, and celebrated India’s Independence Day in front of the Malabar Gold and Diamond jewellery store on the 100 Feet Road in Coimbatore.

An image, allegedly showing the representatives of the jewellery store celebrating the Independence Day of Pakistan in Pakistan on August 14, was largely circulated on social media for the past few days. The image did not go down well with some outfits here in Coimbatore as they claimed that a company based in India should not disrespect the country by celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day.

Joining the protest, HMK members also cut a cake and distributed to people in front of the store in Coimbatore.

However, a representative of the jewellery store clarified that the image was fake, and added that it was being circulated to defame the company.

“We have 156 stores, and all stores celebrated the Independence Day of India, and not of Pakistan,” said B.M. Noushad, Store Head of Malabar Gold and Diamond, Coimbatore.