78 years of independence are being completed. Like the last two years, this time also ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign is being run. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also appealed regarding this. After this, there has been an increase of 60 to 70 percent in the sales of Tricolor.
The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign was launched for the first time on 15 August 2022. Then 75 years of independence had been completed. In the same year, the government also made several changes in the flag code.
Although, the trend of hoisting the tricolor at home on the occasion of Independence Day is not new. But due to the Tricolor campaign at every house, now most of the people have started hoisting the tricolor at their homes. However, it is important to keep some things in mind before hoisting the tricolor at home. Otherwise, the national flag may be insulted knowingly or unknowingly. In some cases, there can be imprisonment of up to three years.
In our country, all the rules and regulations related to hoisting the tricolor come under ‘Flag Code 2002’. This flag code is applicable from 26 January 2002. Earlier, the rules for hoisting the tricolor came under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971.
The flag code is divided into three parts. The first part contains general information related to the tricolor. The second part contains rules related to hoisting the tricolor by common people, private organizations and institutions. And the third part contains the rules and regulations related to hoisting the tricolor of the Central, State Government and their associated organizations and agencies.
This is how common people got the right to hoist the tricolor
For many years after independence, common people did not have the right to hoist the tricolor at home. Famous industrialist and former MP Naveen Jindal gave common citizens the right to hoist the tricolor.
In fact, when Naveen Jindal returned to India in 1992 after completing his studies in America, he started hoisting the tricolor in his factory every day. After this, when the administration warned him, he went to court. Later, the Supreme Court ruled in 1996 that hoisting the tricolor is a fundamental right of every citizen of the country.
After this decision, a committee was formed under the leadership of PD Shenoy. In this way the Flag Code was created in 2002. Every citizen got the right to hoist the tricolor.
Hoisting the tricolor is a fundamental right of every citizen and it is a fundamental duty to respect it. There is a provision for this in Article 51A (a) of the Constitution. This article says that it is the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to respect the tricolor and the national anthem.
Two major changes took place in 2022
The central government had made two major changes in the rules of the flag code in 2022. The first is that now the tricolor can be hoisted even at night. Earlier the tricolor could be hoisted only from sunrise to sunset. But now we will be able to hoist the tricolor at home 24 hours. After this change, now common people, private organizations or institutions can hoist the tricolor day and night.
This is so that people can be motivated to hoist the tricolor at home. Till now people were not allowed to hoist the tricolor at night. But now the tricolor can be hoisted even at night.
And the second change is that till now only the national flag made of hand-woven and spun wool, cotton or silk khadi was allowed to be hoisted, but now the tricolor made of machine-made cotton, wool or silk khadi will also be allowed to be hoisted. Also, now the tricolor made of polyester can also be hoisted.
What will be the size of the tricolor?
There is no rule regarding the size of the tricolor in India. It can be no matter how big or small. But the tricolor will always be rectangular, whose ratio will be 3:2.
However, the tricolor will be of size 450X300 mm on VVIP aircraft, 225X150 mm on motor car and 150X100 mm on the table.
The tricolor will always have saffron color at the top and green color at the bottom. There will be white color in the middle, on which Ashok Chakra will be written. There will be only 24 spokes inside the Ashok Chakra.
Can we buy tricolor flag made of paper?
Actually, Tricolor cannot be made of paper. But tricolor made of paper can be hoisted on Independence Day, Republic Day and sports and cultural programs.
On these special days of the flag code, tricolor flags made of paper can be hoisted, but they cannot be thrown or torn. It is important to dispose of tricolor flags made of paper with respect.
Can tricolor be put on vehicles?
Hoisting the tricolor is a fundamental right of every citizen, but it does not mean that you can roam around with it on your car. According to the flag code, only people holding constitutional posts are allowed to hoist the tricolor.
President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Union Ministers of State, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Governors of States, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, Heads of Indian embassies and offices abroad, Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories , Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of State Legislative Councils, Chief Justice of India, Chief Justice of High Court, Supreme Court and High Court judges can wear the tricolor on their vehicles.
Apart from this, if a car is provided to a foreign guest by the Central Government, then the tricolor flag will be displayed on the right side of the car, while the national flag of that country will be displayed on the left side. If the President travels by a special train, when the train is stationary, the tricolor will be displayed on the driver’s cabin towards the platform. If the President travels by any aircraft then the national flag will be hoisted on it also. Similarly, when the Prime Minister or Vice President travels to any country, the national flag is hoisted on the plane.
When will it be considered an insult to the tricolor?
When you hoist the tricolor at home, take special care that it should not be tilted, touching the ground or exposed to water. If this happens then it will be an insult to the tricolor.
The tricolor should have saffron color at the top and green color at the bottom. Under no circumstances should the color be green at the top and saffron at the bottom.
Nothing can be written on the flag. It is prohibited to use the Tricolor on any part of any dress or uniform. Nor should any handkerchief, pillow or napkin have the tricolor design.
The flag cannot be used for any form of draping, including for any funeral procession. It cannot be used to give, hold or carry any item. However, flower petals can be placed inside the tricolor on special occasions including Independence Day and Republic Day.
The national flag cannot be used to cover any statue or building. The national flag will not be used to cover the speaker’s table or decorate the stage in any program. It cannot be installed in any vehicle, train, boat or airplane. It is allowed to be installed only in the vehicles of persons holding constitutional posts.
The flag should not be torn or dirty. If the tricolor is being hoisted at home or in any institution, then there should not be any other flag equal to or higher than it.
What can happen if this is done?
If you are hoisting the tricolor at home and for some reason it gets torn or becomes old, then it will be disposed of in a respectful manner. The tricolor can be destroyed with respect by burning it in a secluded place or in some other way.
Insulting the tricolor can result in a punishment of 3 years imprisonment or fine or both. For this, a provision has been made in Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act 1971. Under this, it will be a crime to burn, crush, tear or damage the Tricolor and the Constitution in any public place.