Ahead of Republic Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a circular urging all states and Union territories to ensure that paper flags are treated with respect and not discarded on the ground during significant national, cultural, and sports events.
The circular highlights the significance of preserving the ‘dignity of paper flags’ used by the public on these occasions. It emphasizes that the Indian National Flag symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the nation’s people and should be handled with utmost respect.
“There is universal affection and respect for, and loyalty to, the National flag. Yet, a perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed amongst people as well as organizations/agencies of the government, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to the display of the National Flag,” the MHA circular states.
The circular specifies that paper flags should not be discarded or thrown on the ground after events. Instead, individuals are encouraged to dispose of them privately to maintain the dignity of the flag.
Referring to the Flag Code of India, the circular states, “As per clause (x) of Paragraph 2.2 of Part-II of the Flag Code of India, the National Flag made of paper may be waved by the public on occasions of important national, cultural, and sports events.”
It further requests states and Union territories to conduct mass awareness programs to educate the public on the proper handling of paper flags.
“You are also requested to undertake a mass awareness programme in this regard and also to give it wide publicity through advertisements in the electronic and print media,” the circular mentions.
(Inputs from ANI)