what do you think of the tricolour fluttering
Answers
Answer:
exception to this is the monumental flag at the Central Park at Connaught Place here, which is flown even after sun goes down. However, say experts, this is not counted as a breach of the Flag Code since the 207-ft-high flagpole is well illuminated even at night.
“The flag at Rajiv Chowk is maintained by Flag Foundation. Around Rs 60,000 per month is spent on its maintenance. There are guards, CCTV cameras and eight lights that keep the flag well lit even at night. The flag is also replaced if torn or dirty,” says Commander K.V. Singh, CEO, Flag Foundation.
A senior Supreme Court lawyer says, “The Indian flag should be held high in honour as it is a symbol of national pride. A damaged or dishevelled flag should not be displayed.”
The lawyer said failure to follow the flag code, “will lead to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both.”
It is a common sight, especially in the days preceding Independence Day to see children celebrating with paper flags.
Some paint their own tricolour while others buy it from street hawkers.
The Flag Code of India has also put out rules on disposal off the flags as well as the materials that should not be used like plastic.
“It says paper flags should not be discarded or thrown on the ground. As far as possible, it should be disposed off in private consistent with the dignity of the flag. The flag symbolises our nation; destroying a flag is like destroying your country. Hence, one must be careful and respect dignity of the Indian flag,” says a senior Supreme Court lawyer.
Citizens can also sport miniatures of the national flags inside their car on the dashboard or on the wind screen throughout the year, after a Supreme Court order on January 23, 2004, which made flying of the national flag a fundamental right.
However, display of the flag on the bonnet of a motor car can only be done by certain officials of the state and central governments as well as by Chief Justices.
The Flag Code states that the flag “shall be flown from a staff, which should be affixed firmly either on the middle front of the bonnet or to the front right side of the car.”
“When the car is not used by these dignitaries, the flag must be removed, folded or well covered,” says the Supreme Court lawyer.
Meanwhile, on social media people are not clear about posting the national flag as their display pictures on Facebook and other sites.
A Delhi University student, Apurva Shivam says he received a message on WhatsApp, which said “the use of the Indian flag in any form of title representation is illegal under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971.”
“Though I was not sure if this is true, I felt we must not unknowingly disrespect the flag. So, I forwarded the message to all in my contacts whom I saw had changed the flag as their profile picture.”
A civil services aspirant, Prakalpa Kushwaha, says she does not see any disrespect to the flag if a picture of the tricolour is posted as a profile picture.
“I went through several legal texts in this regard and could not find anything wrong about profile pictures as the tricolour. It is true that the flag should not be stitched or pasted improperly but using it is not prohibited at all.
“If some Indian cricket players can put the flag on their helmets and Indian sports contingent can display it on their shirts, what is the wrong in using it as profile picture,” queries Ms. Kushwaha.
According to Khagesh Jha, a Supreme Court lawyer posting a picture of the national flag as a profile picture is not considered an offence as far as Indian laws are concerned.