Bidisha Singha
As Republic Day approaches, and roadside stalls get all decked up in tricolour flags and festoons, we, too, get carried away in the spirit of it all. Putting up flags on cars, donning tricolour stoles and even wigs and masks, our homes and cities get awash in the colours of saffron, white and green. While it is all in the right spirit, we must, however, ensure that a national festival is celebrated with due respect and veneration and that we follow the codes of conduct while displaying our National Flag.
The display of the National Flag is governed by the provisions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act of 1971. For those not in the know, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, orders strict compliance of the provisions contained in the Flag Code of India, 2002. In fact, in 2017, fresh directives were issued on it after e-commerce site Amazon was barred from selling products with the Indian flag on them.
There have been many other such incidents in the past when allegations have been levelled against people for violating the Flag Code.
Sachin Tendulkar was served with a legal notice in 2007 because a video had surfaced in which he was seen cutting a Tricolour cake. Amitabh Bachchan, too, had been embroiled in a legal case for having wrapped the Indian flag around him while celebrating India's 2011 World Cup win. Shah Rukh Khan was apparently "insulting" the flag in photos that showed him holding the Tricolour upside down.
Then there was Sania Mirza who, in 2008, was prepared to quit tennis after a case was filed against her for 'disrespecting' the Indian flag as a photograph showed her sitting with her legs propped up on a table with a Tricolour close to it.
Mandira Bedi's Tricolour sari as a TV host during the 2007 World Cup raked up another major controversy. While the Indian government had allowed the wearing of Tricolour images on clothing in 2005, it was clearly ruled that the flag can only be displayed on garments above the waist. However, in Mandira's sari, the placement of the flag was termed 'disrespectful' as it was below the waist.
It is easy to target celebrities and point fingers at them, but as citizens of this country, every Indian should abide by the rules. Some of the key rules to keep in mind are:
• Whenever the flag is hoisted it should occupy the position of honour and should be distinctly placed.
• A damaged or dishevelled flag should not be displayed.
• The flag should not be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting or in any other manner for decoration.
• The flag shall not be intentionally displayed with the "saffron" down.
• Paper flags may be waved during important national, cultural or sporting events. However, such flags should not be discarded or thrown on the ground after the event.
• When a flag is in a damaged or soiled condition, it shall not be cast aside or disrespectfully disposed of but shall be destroyed as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of the flag.
• The flag shall not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, train or boat.
• Every Indian cannot fly the National Flag on their vehicles. The privilege of flying the Tricolour is limited to only some dignitaries.