Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and the Flag Code of India, 2002

Dr Debajyoti Goswami

Email:documentsgoswami@gmail.com

The Central government is encouraging citizens to hoist and display the National Flag in their houses between August 13 and August 15 as a part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. 'Har GharTiranga' is a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India's independence.The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the Indian National Flag.

We, the Indian citizens, must realise that relationship with the flag has always been more formal and institutional rather than personal. Therefore, we, the citizens of India, must be aware of and understand the essence of the codification of law relating to the Indian flag. The Flag Code of India brings together all laws, conventions, practices and instructions for the display of the National Flag. It governs the display of the National Flag by private, public and government institutions

On July 20, 2022, the Centre has amended Para 3.6 of Section III of Part III of the Flag Code of India, allowing the National Flag to be flown both in the day and at night if it is displayed in the open or on the house of a member of the public. Earlier, the Tricolour could be hoisted only between sunrise and sunset. Moreover, in an earlier amendment dated December 30, 2021, the government had allowed the use of machine-made and polyester flags. Previously, such flags were not allowed to be used in Para 1.2 of the Part I of the Flag Code of India, 2002.

Flag Code of India, 2002 became effective from January 26, 2002. The codification has been divided in to three parts - Part I of the Code containing the General description of the National Flag. This part guided us that the National Flag of India must be tricoloured with deep saffron on the top, white in the middle with the Ashoka Chakra in Navy-blue colour with 24 equally-spaced spokes and deep green at the bottom. Deep saffron represents the strengths and courage of the country. White colour in the middle represents peace and truth with the Dharma Chakra. Ashoka Chakra in navy blue colour represents the "Wheel of the Law" to show life in movement and death stagnation. Again, deep green at the bottom represents fertility, growth and auspiciousness. The National Flag is a symbol of our nation's sovereignty and national pride. The guideline in regard to shape and size of the Indian Fag is also devoted in the Part I of the Code. In this section, it is said that shape of the Indian Flag should be rectangular and the ratio of the length to height (width) of the Flag should be 3:2.

Before the introduction of the Indian Flag Code of India, 2002, the size of the flag was regulated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs'Circular No 25/15/60-Pub-I, dated 04.2.1961 which was enforced by government of Assam vide Notification No GAG-270/56/216, dated 08.03.1961. At that time, the National Flag was available in five standard sizes in inches, namely: (1) 21"x14"; (2) 12"x8"; (3) 6"x4"; (4) 3"x2"; and (5) 9"x6". In the introduction of the Flag Code of India, the standard sizes of the National Flag are available in 9 different sizes in mm as (1) 6300x4200; (2) 3600x2400'; (3) 2700x1800; (4) 188x1200; (5) 1350x900; (6) 900x600; (7)450x300 (recommended for aircraft for VVIPs), (8) 225x150 [ recommended for motor cars); and (9) 150x100 (recommended for table flag).

Part II of the Code is dedicated to the display/hoisting of the National Flag by members of public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc. In this Section of the Code, there are two Sections. Section I for display of the National Flag under the provisions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Importer Use) Act, 1950 (No12 of 1950) and the Prevention of Insults of the National Honour Act, 1971. Disrespecting and insulting the National Flag is considered as an offence and it is punishable under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Section II of the Part II provides a model set of instructions to educational institutions.

Part III of the Code relates to display of the National Flag by Central and state governments and their organizations and agencies. There are Nine (9) Sections under the Part III of the Indian Flag Code, 2002 to provide the guidelines of the hoisting/display of the Indian National Flag. Section III is devoted to mention about the duty of correct display of the National Flag. Section IV guides us to stop incorrect display of the Indian National Flag. Section V outlines the guiding principle for preventing misuse of the Indian Flag.

By maintaining respect of the Flag Code of India, 2002 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 followed by recent changes of the Government of the India, let us celebrate the 75th year of Independence and re-dedicate ourselves to the honour our Tricolour for the development, bright future and security of the country with full zeal of patriotism during August 13-15 by pinning a flag virtually at https://harghartiranga.com along with a 'Selfie with Flag' on the website.

JAI HIND!