Vidhigna Bharati appeals to DC Cachar to ban the sale of small plastic National Flags

July 31: Three advocates on behalf of an organisation named Vidhigna Bharati submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner Cachar on Friday, wherein they appealed to ban the sale of small plastic National Flags. Citing National Flag Code 2002 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971, they stated that now-a-days small size flags with plastic sticks are sold on the the eve of Independence Day and Republic Day. People purchase them and put it on their cars and two-wheelers. Members of Vidhigna Bharati said that these small flags are very light in nature and it is seen that these flags are left on the streets on the day after the Independence Day and Republic Day, which is nothing but a complete insult to the tricolour.

On 23 July, 2020, the Under Secretary to the Government of India, Deepak Kumar issued one notification directing all Chief Secretaries of State Govt as well as all Ministers for strict compliance of National Flag Act, 2002 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act,1971.The letter contained 2 points and in point No .2, it was specifically stated, “Since plastic flags are not biodegradable like paper bags, these do not get decomposed for a long time and ensuring appropriate disposal of National Flags made of plastic commensurate with the dignity of the flag is a practical problem….”

Citing this, the members of Vidhigna Bharati in their memorandum to DC Cachar stated, “Sentiments of millions of Indians are attached with the national flag of India. So, the plastic made small size national flag should not be sold on the streets, either by street children or by general shopkeepers violating the existing guidelines.” As such, they appealed to the district administration to look in to the matter and issue an order as to ban on use/sell of small size plastic made national flag. The memorandum was signed by Advocates Ratnadeep Paul, Samrat Dutta and Biswadeep Chakraborty.