The Union Government amended India’s flag code last year, allowing the production of polyester and machine-made national flags so that enough flags would be available for its Har Ghar Tiranga (tricolor to every door) which offers to cover government buildings, private offices and residences. . Previously, only flags woven and hand spun in cotton, silk, wool or Khadi were allowed.

The notification amending the Flag Code of India, 2002, by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), made on December 30 last year, states that “the national flag made of polyester or machine-made flags have been authorized. Henceforth, the national flag must be made of hand-spun and hand-woven or machine-made cotton/polyester/wool/silk khadi streamers.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the tricolor plan as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav campaign launched by the government as the 75th anniversary of independence approaches.

The program was launched on April 12 to encourage Indians to raise the national flag at home. Mr. Shah is the head of the national implementation committee of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

In a letter to government departments on May 20, the Ministry of Culture said, “The idea behind this initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of citizens and raise awareness of our national flag.”

Create a buzz

The Cabinet Secretary had chaired a meeting of a committee of secretaries on Har Ghar Tiranga on May 13, the letter said. Employees and families of ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, self-help groups, civil society organizations should have “active participation” in the program, he said.

“Companies and private organizations may also be encouraged, where possible, to participate and contribute, including CSR resources,” the letter said. Ministries and departments were also asked to create buzz and awareness using their official websites and social media handles.

The Hindu reported on April 30 that the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS), which runs the only BIS-approved flag manufacturing unit, wrote to the Prime Minister and Home Minister of India that the amendment will affect the whole khadi sector and the “The basic principle of khadi has been attacked.”

The hoisting, use and display of the Indian national flag is governed by the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act 1971 and the Indian Flag Code 2002. Dishonoring the tricolor is a punishable offence.