As Independence Day celebrations are coming up, the Union government has asked States to ensure that nobody will use plastic national flags as ensuring the appropriate disposal of a Tricolour made of the non-biodegradable item was a practical problem.
In a communication to all States and Union Territories, the Union Home Ministry said the national flag represented the hopes and aspirations of the people of the country and, hence, should occupy a position of honor. “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 organizations/agencies of the government, concerning laws, practices, and conventions that apply to display of the national flag,” 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 flags made of plastic commensurate with the dignity of the flag, is a practical problem,” adding to that,
“You are, therefore, requested to ensure that on the occasions of important national, cultural and sports events, flags made of paper only are used by the 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,” Home minister mentioned.
The Home Ministry instructed that such flags are to be disposed of in private, consistent with the dignity of the Indian tricolor. State governments have also been asked to advertise, in the electronic and print media, against the use of national flags made of plastic not only for Independence day but flags for any other events that should not be in Plastic. The ministry also attached copies of ‘The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971’ and the ‘Flag Code of India, 2002’, which govern the display of the national flag, along with its letter.
Read/Add Comments