DBS employee who posted graphic of ripped Singapore flag on FB no longer working for bank

A man who posted an image of a ripped Singapore flag on Facebook earlier this month is no longer working for DBS, said the bank in a public statement.

Mr Avijit Das Patnaik's controversial post showed a T-shirt with a graphic of the Singapore flag being torn to reveal an Indian flag underneath.

The image reportedly first surfaced on Aug 14, a day before India's Independence Day, on the Singapore Indians and Expats Facebook page.

It was accompanied by a caption in Hindi that said, "Phir bhi dil hai…", which roughly translates to "Still my heart is…".

This is believed to have been referring to a popular Hindi song that talks about always feeling love for the motherland, India.

The post was later deleted.

On Tuesday (Aug 28), DBS Bank said on its Facebook page that Mr Patnaik had been "counselled" in connection with the post.

https://www.facebook.com/dbs.sg/posts/1866871686760405

Added the statement: "DBS strongly disapproves of such actions by our employees.

"At the same time, it is fair and right that all employees are given the benefit of due process.

"Since the incident, a disciplinary committee has been convened and as of 24 August, he is no longer with the bank."

When contacted by The Straits Times, Mr Patnaik, who is a Singapore permanent resident, apologised and said he did not mean to cause offence.

According to the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act, no person shall treat the flag with disrespect. The penalty is a maximum fine of $1,000.

Police are investigating the incident.