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Use national flag made of paper not plastic: MHA

Centre has issued an advisory to states and Union Territories (UT) to ensure strict compliance of the flag code, ahead…

Use national flag made of paper not plastic: MHA

Indian flag (Photo: Getty Images)

Centre has issued an advisory to states and Union Territories (UT) to ensure strict compliance of the flag code, ahead of the Republic Day and has urged everyone not to use national flag made of plastic on important national, cultural and sports events. Only flags made of paper should be used, the directive says.

In an advisory to the states and Union Territories, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the national flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of the country and hence should occupy a position of honour.

The advisory on paper-made national flags should 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.

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The ministry said that it has been brought to its notice that during important events, national flags made of plastic are also being used.

Since the plastic flags are not biodegradable like paper flags, they do not get decomposed for a long time. Ensuring appropriate disposal of national flag made of plastic commensurate with dignity of the flag, 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.

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.

State governments, UT administrations, secretaries of all ministries/departments of government of India were told 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.

(with agency inputs)

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