The Flag Code of India, published in 2002, is a collection of all the laws, customs, practises, directives, and rules that govern the display of the national flag. Many citizens, whether consciously or inadvertently, violate the Flag Code. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued advice to all States and Union Territories to ensure that the Flag Code is strictly followed during major national events.
History Of the Indian Tricolor:
On July 22, 1947, during a sitting of the Constituent Assembly, the Indian National Flag was adopted in its current shape, only days before India’s independence from the British on August 15, 1947. It was the national flag of the Dominion of India, then the Republic of India, from 15 August 1947 to 26 January 1950. In India, the national flag is referred to as the “tricolour.”
A horizontal tricolour with equal proportions of deep saffron (Kesari) at the top, white in the middle, and dark green at the bottom make up the Indian national flag. The flag is two isto three times its length in width. The chakra is represented by a navy blue wheel in the white ring’s centre. Its design is inspired by the wheel found on Ashoka’s Sarnath Lion Capital abacus. It has 24 spokes and a diameter about the same as the white band’s width.
Colours of the Flag:
The upper band of the Indian national flag is saffron-coloured, symbolising the country’s power and bravery. Dharma Chakra has a white central band that represents peace and truth. The green colour of the last ring represents the land’s fertility, growth, and auspiciousness.
The Chakra:
In the Sarnath Lion Capital, erected by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC, this Dharma Chakra portrayed the “wheel of the law.” The purpose of the chakra is to demonstrate that movement brings life and stasis brings death.
Flag Code:
On January 26, 2002, the Indian flag code was revised, allowing citizens of India to fly the Indian flag above their offices, homes, and factories on any day, not only on national holidays. Indians can now prominently display the national flag anywhere and at any time, as long as the Flag Code is strictly followed to eliminate any disrespect to the tricolour. For your convenience, the Indian Flag Code of 2002 has been divided into three parts. Part I of the Code discusses the National Flag in general. Part II of the Code deals with the display of the National Flag by members of the public, private organisations, educational institutions, and other bodies. According to Part III of the Code, the National Flag is displayed by the federal and state governments, as well as their organisations and agencies.
There are some standards for flying the flag based on a law issued on January 26, 2002. Some of them are as follows:
Do’s:
- To promote respect for the Flag, the National Flag may be flown in educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports camps, scout camps, and so on). Flag hoisting in schools now includes an oath of allegiance.
- On all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise consistent with the dignity and honour of the National Flag, a member of the public, a private group, or an educational institution may hoist/display the National Flag.
- Section 2 of the new code recognises that all private persons have the right to fly the flag on their property.
Don’ts:
- The flag is not permitted to be used for communal purposes, draperies, or clothing. It should only be flown from sunrise to sunset, whatever the weather.
- The flag cannot be permitted to contact the ground, the floor, or the water’s surface. It is not permitted to drape it over the hood, top, sides, or rear of any vehicle, railway, boat, or aircraft.
- There can be no other flag or bunting higher than the flag. Furthermore, no objects, including flowers, garlands, or insignia, may be placed on or above the flag. A festoon, rosette, or bunting made of tricolour is not allowed.
Conclusion:
The Indian Flag Code is a system of rules, traditions, and norms that govern the display of India’s national flag. The Flag Code of India, published in 2002, is divided into three sections. The national flag is described in general in Part I of the code. The display of the national flag by members of the public, private sector, educational institutions, and other institutions is addressed in Part II of the code. The display of the national flag by union and state governments, as well as their organisations and agencies, is addressed in Part III of the law. The Flag Code of India, 2002, took effect on January 26, 2002, and replaced the previous “Flag Code-India.”