Centre advises people not to use national flag made of plastic

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

Keeping in view the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, the Centre has advised people not to use national flag made of plastic and also asked states and the Union Territories (UTs) to ensure strict adherence of the flag code.

In the advisory, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the national flag represents hopes and aspirations of the people of India and hence should occupy a position of honour and pride.

The MHA also mentioned it has come to know that during important events, the national flag made of plastic is used in place of paper, which affects environment adversely.

It said, since plastic flags are not biodegradable like paper flags, these do not get decomposed for a long time and ensuring appropriate disposal of national flag made of plastic commensurate with the dignity of the flag, is a practical problem.

The advisory said 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 said on important national, cultural and sports events, flags made of paper only are to be used by public in terms of the provisions of the “Flag Code of India, 2002” and such paper flags are not to be discarded or thrown on the ground after the event.

Noting that such flags are to be disposed of, in private, consistent with the dignity of the flag, the advisory said, there is universal affection and respect for and loyalty to the national flag.

“Yet, a perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed amongst people as well as organisations and agencies of the government in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to display of the national flag,” it added.