The state road construction department found itself on a sticky wicket here after a pedestrian crossing painted in red and white invited tribal ire because the colour pattern bore semblance with the Sarna religious flag.

Pictures of the zebra crossing in front of Ram Dayal Munda Park in Morabadi went viral on social media on Saturday evening, prompting the authorities to hurriedly “whitewash” the red.

Babloo Munda, vice-president of Kendriya Sarna Samiti, said members of the tribal community who follow Sarna dharm had taken strong exception of the road colour code.

“I was on my way home yesterday (Saturday) when I saw workers painting the zebra crossing, which looked like the Sarna flag that represents our cultural and religious identity. When I enquired why that colour pattern, one of the workers poked fun at me,” he said.

After the zebra crossing was whitewashed. Telegraph picture

Munda took a photograph and shared it on social media, which triggered a wave of protests. “I also spoke to chief tribal priest Jaglal Pahan and president of Kendriya Sarna Samiti Phoolchand Tirkey. We had planned a protest this (Sunday) morning, but the zebra crossing was quickly whitewashed. We will still take the matter up with higher authorities,” he added.

Mayor Asha Lakra said she was displeased to see the picture doing the rounds of social media platforms and had ordered an inquiry. “It is shocking. I have sought a report from the road construction department. How can they use red? A zebra crossing is either painted black-and-white or maybe, white interspersed with yellow,” she said.

Engineer-in-chief, road construction, Ras Bihari Singh said after the matter was brought to the notice of the department, the red strips were repainted in white.

“Some small contractor is doing the job. We will showcause him,” Singh added.