Flag Foundation of India has backed the central government’s move to amend the Flag Code amidst the launch of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign to mark the 75 years of the country’s Independence. The support for the change in the flag code by the Naveen Jindal-led Flag Foundation of India came after the Congress attacked the BJP government for its decision to have the national flag stitched with polyester along with khadi.
The Flag Foundation of India said in its statement, “The National Flag is the most solemn symbol of our great nation. It should not be restricted to certain materials, rather liberalised. A decade-long legal struggle by Shri Naveen Jindal, President, Flag Foundation of India, won every Indian the right to display the National Flag on all days of the year.”
The statement added, “During the UPA Government, MHA clarified to Shri Naveen Jindal, MP on 15th February 2005, stating that neither the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act 1971, nor the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950 impose any restriction on the fabric to be used for the National Flag. The MHA letter further added that even the Flag Code of India provides flexibility and does not intend to restrict in regard to the fabric for the National Flag.”
India currently has the most number of ‘high mast Monumental Flags in the world’ with none of them carrying khadi material. Instead, they are all made of synthetic, mostly polyester material which is made in India.
“The criticism to the addition of Polyester to the amended Flag Code is out of ignorance. This amendment only reaffirms, what was already clarified by Ministry of Home Affairs in 2005. It will give a boost to the 1–lar Ghar Tiranga Initiative’ of the Government of India and remove doubts from the minds of people,” Flag Foundation of India added as it welcomed the amendment to the Flag Code of India.
The FFOI said that it was ‘glad to become part of the Har Ghar Tirana initiative.’