Flags should not be thrown on ground or discarded: MHA asks states to adhere to Flag Code

According to Greater Kashmir, the Indian Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a formal directive to all states and Union territories, urging strict adherence to the Flag Code of India. The communication emphasizes that while paper flags are frequently used by the public during national, cultural, and sporting events, they must be handled with respect and should not be discarded or left on the ground following the conclusion of such events.

In the communique addressed to the chief secretaries of all states and Union territories, the MHA noted that there is often a lack of awareness among the general public, as well as various government agencies and organizations, regarding the specific laws, practices, and conventions that govern the display of the national flag. The ministry reiterated that the Indian National Flag serves as a symbol of the hopes and aspirations of the nation and must always be accorded a position of honor.

This directive serves as a periodic reminder of the legal requirements surrounding the use of national symbols. Under the Flag Code of India, the national flag should not be used as a drapery, nor should it be allowed to touch the ground or the floor. The government's push for compliance is intended to ensure that the flag is treated with the dignity mandated by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. State authorities are expected to disseminate these guidelines to ensure that public displays during upcoming national observances remain in full accordance with established protocol.