Indian Flag Code

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In news- Indian flag code has gained importance on the occasion of Indian Independence day.

About Indian flag code-

• In 2002, the Flag Code of India came into effect which allowed the unrestricted display of the Tricolour as long as the honour and dignity of the flag were being respected.
• The flag code did not replace the pre-existing rules governing the correct display of the flag but was, however, an effort to bring together all the previous laws, conventions and practices.
• The Flag Code of 2002 is divided into three parts:
• Part I of the Code contains a general description of the National Flag. 
• Part II of the Code is devoted to the display of the National Flag by members of public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc. 
• Part III of the Code relates to display of the National Flag by Central and State governments and their organisations and agencies.
• On 26th January 2002, the Indian flag code was modified and the citizens of India were finally allowed to hoist the Indian flag over their homes, offices and factories on any day and not just National days as was the case earlier.
• Usually, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issues an advisory to all the States and Union Territories to ensure strict adherence of the Flag Code on important national events.

Standard dimensions of the flag under the code-

• The flag code states that the tricolour can be of nine standard dimensions — 6300 x 4200, 3600 x 2400, 2700 x 1800, 1800 x 1200, 1350 x 900, 900 x 600, 450 x 300, 225 x 150 and 150 x 100 (all sizes in mm).
• It further adds that flags of 450 x 300 mm size should be used on VVIP flights, 225 x 150 mm on cars and all table flags should be 150 x 100 mm in size.
• According to the code, the tricolour should be rectangular in shape and the length-to-width ratio should always be 3:2.
• It adds that the national flag should always be made of hand-spun and hand-woven wool or cotton or silk khadi bunting.

Restrictions on display of national flag under the flag code-2002-

• It states that there will be no restriction on the display of the flag by public and private bodies and educational institutions except to the extent as laid down in the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
• It mentions that the tricolour cannot be used for commercial purposes, and cannot be dipped in salute to any person or thing.
• It further states that whenever the flag is displayed, it should be distinctly placed and should “occupy the position of honour”. 
• Among the things which are not allowed is putting up a damaged or dishevelled flag, flying the tricolour from a single masthead simultaneously with other flags, and no other object, including flowers or garlands, or flag should be placed on the same height beside the tricolour or above it.
• The flag should not be used as a festoon, or for any kind of decoration purposes. 
• Any tricolour which is damaged should be destroyed in private, “preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of the Flag”.
• Also, any paper flags, which are used on occasions of national and cultural occasions or sporting events, should not be casually discarded and must be disposed of in private.
• For official display, only flags that conform to the specifications as laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards and bearing their mark can be used.

• The flag should always be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
• When a flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally from a window sill, balcony or front of a building, the saffron band should be at the farther end of the staff. 
• When displayed on a speaker’s platform, the flag should be placed on the speaker’s right as s/he faces the audience or flat against the wall above and behind the speaker. 
• When displayed on a car, the flag should be flown from a staff fixed either in the middle of the bonnet or the front right of the car.
• When carried in a parade, the flag should either be in the front of the centre of the line or towards the right of the file that is marching forward.
• When the Tricolour is passing by in a parade, or during a ceremony of hoisting or lowering of the flag, the persons present should stand at attention and salute the flag and dignitaries should remove their headgears before saluting the flag.
• In the event of the death of heads of states, dignitaries or during state funerals, the tricolour can be flown at half-mast during the period of mourning. 
• However, if the period of mourning coincides with events of national importance, such as Independence Day, Republic Day, etc., the tricolour should not be flown at half-mast anywhere except over the building in which the body of the deceased is lying.

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