National Flag Do’s and Don’ts: The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, through which the central government has urged people to hoist the national flag at their homes from August 13 to 15 to mark the 75th year of India’s independence, ends on Monday. As soon as the campaign ends, the displayers of the Indian flag will start taking them down after Independence Day, While doing so certain rules have to be followed, as per the Flag Code of India 2002, which are traditions not only to display the flag, but also to remove and store it, or to destroy or destroy it if needed does. ,
National Flag Do’s and Don’ts
Flag storage
After the flag is taken off, if you plan to store it, there is a specific way in which it will need to be folded. After placing it horizontally, the saffron and green strips should be folded under the white strip in such a way that the orange and green stripes are visible. Then, the white stripe should be folded from both the sides towards the center so that only the Ashoka Chakra, and the saffron and parts of the green stripes are visible. The flag thus folded should then be carried and stored on your palms or arms.
Disposal of damaged flags
If the National Flag is damaged or soiled, the Flag Code of India says, “It shall be destroyed completely by burning personally or by any other means, having regard to the dignity of the National Flag.”
Paper flag disposal
While the flag code permits the waiving of paper flags by the public during important national and cultural events, these paper flags should not be thrown on the ground, it says. Like damaged flags, they should be discarded privately “in keeping with the dignity of the national flag”.
Other things to keep in mind
Apart from the Flag Code of India, there are some other rules to prevent insult to the national flag under the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971. Violation under this Act may be punishable with fine or imprisonment of up to three years.
Some rules to keep in mind say that the national flag –
> Cannot be used as drapery in any form (except in state funerals or funerals of armed forces or other para-military forces)
> Not to be used as part of a dress, uniform or accessory of any kind worn below the waist of any person
> Cannot be embroidered or printed on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, undergarments or any dress material
> may not have any letters or inscriptions on it
> Cannot be used for wrapping, carrying, receiving or distributing things (except flower petals as part of celebration on occasions like Republic Day, Independence Day etc.)
> Cannot be used as cover for statue or memorial or speaker desk or speaker platform
> Cannot knowingly be allowed to touch the ground or floor or trail in the water
> Cannot be draped over the hood, top, and sides or rear or on a vehicle, train, boat or aircraft or any other similar object
> Cannot be used as a cover for a building
> Intentionally cannot be displayed with “saffron” at the bottom
Ahead of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, the central government made some amendments to the Flag Code of India, which has been criticized for taking away employment opportunities from people traditionally employed to make and distribute flags. An amendment in July 2022 allowed the hoisting of the national flag both day and night in the home of a member of the public, whereas earlier it was only allowed to be flown between sunrise and sunset. In December 2021, another amendment was made to allow not only hand-woven or hand-woven flags but also machine-made flags using polyester. Other materials permitted include cotton, wool, silk and khadi bunting.