Later, on realising the blunder, a policeman climbed up the pole and unfurled the flag.

State Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel was the chief guest at D B High School in Palsana Taluka, where the district-level Republic Day celebrations were held on Monday.

Surat District Collector Dilip Rawal and District Superintendent of Police K G Bhati were also present on the occasion.

Patel, by mistake, pulled the wrong string to hoist the flag. Even though the flag did not unfurl, the dignitaries and the police staff who were present at the event started singing the National Anthem as soon as the minister pulled the string.

Later, a constable climbed up the pole and untied the knot.

Surat District Superintendent of Police Bhati said, “Deputy Superintendent of Police H L Rathod will investigate into the incident. We had rehearsed the hoisting of the National