Government restricts use of national flag made of plastic

The central government has advised the nation not to use a national flag made of plastic and asked all the states and union territories (UTs) to ensure strict compliance of the Flag Code in view of the Republic Day celebration ahead.

An advisory from the government said that the "Indian national flag stands for the aspirations and hopes of the people of the country and therefore should occupy a position of honour".

The advisory also said that the flags made of plastics are not biodegradable like paper flags, these do not get decomposed for a long time. Therefore, to ensure the proper disposal of a national flag made of plastic is a practical problem corresponding with the dignity of the flag.

Key points of advisory
On important national, sports and cultural events, paper flags only are to be used by the public in terms of the provisions of the Flag Code of India, 2002 and such paper flags are not to be thrown or discarded on the ground after the event.

Such paper flags are to be disposed of with the dignity of the flag in line with the flag code.
Not using the national flag made of plastic should cover the wide publicity through advertisement in the electronic and print media.

State governments, UT administrations, secretaries of all ministries/departments of the central government are directed to ensure strict compliance of the provisions contained in the Flag Code and The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

Flag Code
The Section 2 of The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 states that whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, defaces, mutilates, destroys, defiles, disfigures, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

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