The National Flag is a matter of identity for millions of Indians. Using it for any other purpose, with few exceptions, is a cognisable and non-bailable offense. However, Tricolour masks are being sold on e-commerce websites such as India Mart, Red-Bubble, SnapDeal, Flipkart and My Flower Tree. Physical shops are also selling T-shirts which have designs with the Tricolour or the National Flag on them. Doing so is an offense punishable under the ‘Indian Flag Code’. Therefore, on behalf of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s ‘Surajya Abhiyan’, Dr. Manoj Solanki demanded that action must be taken against those who sell masks, T-shirts etc. with the National Flag as a part of the design. A petition in this regard has also been forwarded to the Union Home Minister, Hon. Shri, Amit Shah.
#Redbubble_Insults_Tiranga https://t.co/MfXklnNP7uhttps://t.co/vHIS8zEpP0https://t.co/dfAAtXzwzqhttps://t.co/ns8Ae1RDaE
— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) August 14, 2022
Dear @redbubble Indian flag code states that it cannot be used as drapery. The mask accumulates dust & sweat. This is a gross insult of the National Flag.
Immediately delist this item & any other such items featuring the tricolor. https://t.co/0EjPspz37b#RespectNationalFlag pic.twitter.com/vU8K0F8b4L
— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) August 13, 2022
— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) August 13, 2022
Masks help to protect others from sneezes, saliva etc. So naturally the masks become unsanitary. After prolonged use these masks are finally disposed off into the waste bins. So using masks with the tricolour of the National Flag on them is gross disrespect to the National Flag. The same goes for T-shirts. To do so violates Sections 2 and 5 of the ‘The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950’; It is also an offense punishable under Section 2 of the ‘Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971’ and the three Acts of ‘Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950’. However, the Government should strictly implement these laws. The Central Government should issue guidelines to all the States. In 2011, the Bombay High Court, while hearing a PIL in this regard, has said that the ‘Government should prevent the desecration of the National Flag’. We urge the Government to follow the directives of the Hon’ble Court.
These links are a sample of the various places where items of clothing with the Indian National Flag are being sold –
1. https://www.redbubble.com/shop/indian+flag+tiranga+masks
2. https://www.snapdeal.com/product/raunak-tiranga-mask/650206565439
3. https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/tiranga-cotton-indian-flag-mask-22455890130.html
5. https://www.myflowertree.com/indian-tricolor-t-shirt-6554
