Debate intensifies over soviet symbols after attack on Uzbek youth group (video)

A video widely circulated on social media shows a group of Uzbek youth being attacked by pro-Soviet demonstrators while performing with the national flag of Uzbekistan in Tashkent. The incident occurred during a May 9 event commemorating the Day of Memory and Honor.

The group of young people, reportedly part of the “Immortal Regiment” march, sang the patriotic song "We Will Sacrifice Ourselves, Uzbekistan" as part of their performance. However, their actions angered some pro-Russian participants, who accused the youth of disrupting the event and carrying out a politically motivated performance.

The protesters claimed that the event was organized under the direction of Alisher Kadyrov, deputy of the Legislative Chamber and head of the “Milliy Tiklanish” Democratic Party faction, and funded by USAID.

In response to the incident, linguist Eldor Asanov voiced concerns about the role of foreign symbolism at such events, stating that the "Immortal Regiment" serves to bolster the political influence of a foreign state. He emphasized the need to regulate May 9 commemorations, suggesting they should be held exclusively with Uzbek flags at designated locations, such as cemeteries.

"Changing the name of the holiday to Day of Memory and Honor was an important step toward nationalizing this date," Asanov said. "If people are outraged by seeing Uzbek flags on this day, it raises serious questions about their loyalty to Uzbekistan or their susceptibility to Russian propaganda."

He warned that some groups have adopted extreme ideological views, seeing any alternative expression as a threat.

"For them, only their worldview is valid—any other opinion is betrayal, influenced by foreign agents like USAID or orchestrated by politicians like Kadyrov," Asanov noted.

Earlier, Bobur Bekmurodov, chairman of the “Yuksalish” nationwide movement and member of the Legislative Chamber, proposed a ban on the public display of USSR flags, arguing that promoting communist symbols contradicts the current constitutional system of Uzbekistan.