Har Ghar Khadi Ka Tiranga: The New Law w.r.t. National Flag
‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is a campaign being promoted by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and hoist it on their houses from 13th to 15th August, 2022 to mark the 75th year of India’s independence.[1]
Indian Flag was adopted on 22nd July, 1947. The display, hoisting, and use of the Indian National Flag is presently governed by the Flag Code of India, 2002 and Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The Flag Code brings together all laws, conventions, practices, and instructions for the display of the National Flag and governs the display of the National Flag by private, public, and Government institutions. As the law stood earlier, machine made and polyester flags were not allowed to be used and “hand-spun and woven wool or cotton or silk khadi bunting” were only allowed. Further, the import of machine-made flags was banned in 2019 in order to boost the Khadi industry. The tricolour was allowed to be flown from sunrise to sunset only, irrespective of weather conditions.
Not very long ago, the Flag Code of India, 2002 has been amended vide Order dated 30th December, 2021 and National Flag made of polyester or machine made Flag have now been allowed. The Code has been further amended on 20th July, 2022 to state that where the Flag is displayed in open or displayed on the house of member of public, it may be flown day and night. On 20th of July, 2022, the Home Ministry, Government of India has issued a direction bearing no. D.O. No. 2/01/2020-Public (Part-III) addressed to all the Ministries and Departments of the Government asking them to publicize the said changes to the general public.
In order to boost the campaign, all Post Offices in the country will start selling flags from 1st August 2022. Apart from physically hoisting the flag, the Ministry of Culture has launched a website where one can ‘Pin a Flag’ and also post a ‘Selfie with Flag’ to showcase one’s patriotism.[2]
Ironically, despite such zeal and promotion, the outcome of the said amendment does not seem to be very pretty when one looks at the ground situation. One, the size specified under the campaign is 20×30 inches and 16×27 inches. This is not permitted under the BIS’ standards for the National Flag. Some manufacturers, which are BIS approved, are finding it practically difficult to manufacture the flags as per the changed dimensions. Secondly, the manufacturers of Khadi Flags are shocked on National Flag made of polyester being allowed. According to them the sanctity of the tricolour has been played down rather demeaned by allowing polyester cloth. All those involved in the Khadi and Village Industries are struggling with relatively very less orders or no orders at all. The situation is grim.
Where on one hand, the Government has banned items made of single use plastic, allowing another form of plastic – polyester – to be used for making Flags seems to be an aberration in the overall policy. Also this seems to defeat the objective of promotion of Khadi industry by the Government. Khadi Sanghas have written to the Prime Minister and Home Minister seeking withdrawal of the amendment while they have planned a symbolic protest on July 27. This amendment, however, may have an explanation. One reason of introducing polyester is the difference in price of raw material . Polyester is cheap. Khadi, on the other hand, is facing a steep hike in price (highest in last decade) due to fall in the production of cotton in the country.
In this light, promotion and our support should rather go with showing solidarity with Khadi industry. Demand for National Flags made of Khadi can make a difference. Lets do a “Har Ghar Khadi ka Tiranga” instead of just celebrating “Har Ghar Tiranga” on this platinum celebration of Nation’s Independence Day.
[1] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1844020
[2] https://rashtragaan.in/, https://harghartiranga.com/
