SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all States and Union Territories, as well as Union Government ministries and departments, to strictly follow the Flag Code of India, 2002, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
In a communication issued on August 10, the MHA asked Chief Secretaries, UT Administrators and secretaries of Union Government ministries and departments to ensure compliance with provisions governing the display and use of the National Flag.
The ministry has specifically directed authorities to prevent paper National Flags used during national, cultural and sporting events from being discarded or thrown on the ground after the events. Such flags should be disposed of privately and in a manner consistent with the dignity of the Tricolour.
The MHA has also called for mass awareness campaigns on the correct use and display of the National Flag. It asked governments and departments to give the campaign wide publicity through advertisements in print and electronic media.
The ministry said the National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people and must be treated with dignity and respect. It noted that a lack of awareness about the laws, practices and conventions governing the Tricolour is sometimes observed among members of the public, organisations and government agencies.
The communication highlighted key provisions of the Flag Code, including that the National Flag may be displayed by members of the public, private organisations and educational institutions on all days and occasions, provided its dignity and honour are maintained.
Following amendments to the Code, the flag may be made from hand-spun and hand-woven or machine-made cotton, polyester, wool, silk or khadi bunting. When displayed in the open or on the house of a member of the public, it may be flown both during the day and at night.
The flag must be rectangular, with a length-to-width ratio of 3:2, and must occupy a position of honour when displayed. A damaged or dishevelled National Flag should not be displayed.
The MHA also reiterated that the National Flag should not be flown from the same masthead simultaneously with another flag. Its display on vehicles is restricted to those of dignitaries specified under the Flag Code, including the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Governors.
No other flag or bunting should be placed higher than, above or alongside the National Flag, according to the provisions highlighted by the ministry.
The Flag Code of India, 2002, as amended in 2021 and 2022, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, are available on the MHA website, the communication said.
The latest directions were circulated to a wide range of constitutional, statutory and government authorities, including the President’s Secretariat, Vice-President’s Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat, Election Commission of India, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats, Supreme Court and High Courts, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Union Public Service Commission, Central Vigilance Commission and NITI Aayog.
The communication was issued by Kamlesh Rabidas, Under Secretary to the Government of India, on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
