The Ministry of Home Affairs has
issued an Advisory to the Chief Secretaries/Administrators of all State
Governments/UT Administrations, Secretaries of all Ministries / Departments of
Government of India, reiterating to ensure strict compliance of the provisions
contained in the 'Flag Code of India. 2002' and 'The Prevention of Insults to
National Honour Act, 1971'. The Advisory directs that mass awareness programmes
be carried out in this regard and also give wide publicity through
advertisements in the electronic and print media.
The Advisory states that the
National Flag represents hopes and aspirations of the people of our country and
hence should occupy a position of honour. There is universal affection and
respect for, and loyalty to, the National Flag. Yet, a perceptible lack of
awareness is often noticed amongst the people as well as organizations/agencies
of the Government, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to
'display of the National Flag’.
Further, it has been brought to
notice of the MHA that on important events, the National Flags made of plastic
are also being used in place of paper Flags. Since, the plastic flags are not
biodegradable like paper flag, these do not get decomposed for a long time and
ensuring appropriate disposal of National Flags made of plastic commensurate
with dignity of the flag, is a practical problem. It may also be noted that as
per Section 2 of ‘The Prevention of insults to National Honour Act. 1971’ - Whoever
in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates,
defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows
disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or
written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or any part thereof, shall be
punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with
fine, or with both.
The Advisory states that on
important national, cultural and sports events, Flags made of paper only are
used by public in terms of the provisions of the 'Flag Code of India, 2002' and
such paper Flags are not discarded or thrown on the ground after the event.
Such Flags are to be disposed of, in private, consistent with the dignity of
the Flag. Wide publicity, for not using the National Flag made of plastic,
should be made along with its advertisement in the electronic and print media.
A copy each of 'The Prevention of
Insults to National Honour Act, 1971' and 'Flag Code of India, 2002' which
governs display of National Flag, are available on the links below for strict
compliance of the provisions contained in the Act and the Flag Code (copy also
available on this Ministry's website www.mha.nic.in).
'Flag Code of India, 2002':
http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/flagcodeofindia_070214.pdf
'The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971':
http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/pdf/Prevention_Insults_National_Honour_Act1971.pdf
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KSD/NK/PK/KM