Saving of National Honour
While it is not uncommon to show excessive exuberance, excitement and rowdiness in celebrating festivals, sporting events and other events of gaiety in India, we sometimes in this over excitement and happiness forget our duties and do many acts which attracts media attention and may also land us in trouble.
In celebrating National festivals like Independence Day and Republic Day and also while celebrating Indian cricket team's major wins in this cricket crazy nation, use the Indian National Flag to express our happiness. But on such occasions of joy we sometimes intentionally and on other times out of ignorance bring disrepute to the Indian National Flag which is a national honour.
Every now and then we read in the newspapers and see on the television about common man and the celebrities alike insulting the Indian National Flag.
Showing disrespect and contempt towards the Indian National Flag and the Indian Constitution is an offence under 'The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971' punishable with imprisonment of upto three years or fine.
I would like to apprise the readers as to what constitutes insult to the National Flag:
As per the provisions of the aforementioned act-The disrespect to the Indian National Flag means and includes-
1. a gross affront or indignity offered to the Indian National Flag; or
2. dipping the Indian National Flag in salute to any person or thing; or
3. flying the Indian National Flag at half-mast except on occasions on which the flag is flown at half-mast on public buildings in accordance with the instructions issued by the Government; or
4. using the Indian National Flag as a drapery in any form whatsoever except in state funerals or armed forces or other para-military forces funerals; or
5. using the Indian National Flag:-
(i) as a portion of costume, uniform or accessory of any description which is worn below the waist of any person; or
(ii) by embroidering or printing it on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, undergarments or any other dress material; or
6. putting any kind of inscription upon the Indian National Flag; or
7. using the Indian National Flag as a receptacle for receiving, delivering or carrying anything except flower petals before the Indian National Flag is unfurled as part of celebrations on special occasions includng the Republic Day or the Independence Day; or
8. using the Indian National Flag as covering for a statue or a monument or a speaker's desk or a speaker's platform; or
9. allowing the Indian National Flag to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water intentionally; or
10. draping the Indian National Flag over the hood, top, and sides or back or on a vehicle, train, boat or an aircraft or any other similar object; or
11. using the Indian National Flag as a covering for a building; or
12. intentionally displaying the Indian National Flag with the "saffron" down.
So the next time when you hold the Indian National Flag in your hand keep in mind these points. Give due respect to the Nationa Honour and show that you are a true Indian.
Saurabh
