This year, the patriotic fervour of Independence Day celebrations gripped the nation with an unforeseen zeal. While iDay has traditionally been marked with small celebrations; over the years, this has started getting bigger and fervent.
Assam possibly wanted to pack an extra punch with their Independence Day celebrations this year. Keeping this in mind, two such instances in the state drew attention. What our people often forget is that in the pursuit of ‘making a statement’, the guidelines of ‘respecting the flag’ are often sidelined.
In at least two instances on this Independence Day, the rules of the Flag Code of India were violated in Assam.
In one of the cases, in a village in Baksa, residents worked on the longest National Flag and stitched a record-making 3.5 km long (11,340-foot) tricolour which they rallied with on August 15.
On the other hand, another rally was held by the members of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) with a 72- metre long national flag, at Borthakurmill, Guwahati on the occasion of Independence Day.
While their intent might have been noble, the Flag Code of India deals with the description and dimensions of a standard flag which were not met in the making and use of either of the flags in the two cases.
What’s the penalty? This can technically attract a prison term of up to 3 years along with a fine. The Flag Code of India lays down rules, regulations and laws for flying the national flag.
Some of the regulations set down by the Flag Code of India state that the Indian flag must be made up of three equal rectangular bands – saffron on top, white in the middle, and green in the bottom. Further, the length height ratio of the flag must be 3:2 and the dark blue Asoka Chakra in the middle band must have 24 spokes. A standard flag must be made of handspun cotton or silk or khadi.
