Shravan Shuddha Ashtami
Updates
- HJS submits representation to the State Govt for prevention of desecration of national flag! (9 Aug 08, Mumbai)
- Ban on plastic national flags; action will be taken! – Ratnagiri collector (8 Aug 08, Ratnagiri)
Mumbai: Paper and plastic National flags displayed with great pride on national festivals like Republic Day, Independence Day and Maharashtra Day are found thrown on the roads and gutters in mutilated condition on the following day. To stop such desecration and insult of the flag, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has submitted a representation to the Chief Minister, Dy. CM, Principal Secretary, Protocol Minister, Chief Protocol Officer, Director General of Information and Public Relations Deptt, Mayor of Mumbai, District Collector and Police Commissioner.
It has been mentioned in the representation that HJS has been giving such representation for the last 6 years to take precautionary measures against denigration of national flag. People are also made aware of the desecration. Because of the HJS efforts, General Administration of the State Government issued a circular on 22nd August 2007 (Circular No. FALG-1207/Admn. No. 11/07/30) in this regard, copies of which were sent to all ministers, State Ministers, secretaries, chief officers, police directorates, police commissioners office, Information and Public Relations Department etc. Even then, the Government has not taken firm steps to prevent denigration of national flags. According to the orders issued by Central Home Ministry, use of plastic in making national flags is prohibited. HJS delegation gave representation to Mrs. Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar, the Director General of Information and Public Relations Directorate for taking immediate action, prevent use of plastic and maintain dignity of national flag. She told the members of delegation that due to the Government circular, it had become easier to take action against those insulting our flag. The dept would take necessary action. She, however, requested the delegation to give a copy of the representation, through their members, to every District Collector and Police Superintendent. The members of delegation pointed out to Mrs. Patankar-Mhaiskar that despite such circular, proper implementation of orders is not being done.
Mayor to issue circular to ban plastic in making national flags
Delegation of HJS called on the Mayor, Dr. Shubha Raul and informed her about the campaign undertaken by HJS for the past 6 years, to stop desecration of national flags. She appreciated the campaign. She informed that it is the Govt. and not Municipality who has the powers to bring a ban on use of plastic in making national flags. She assured that people will be appealed through a pamphlet, to stop use of plastic national flags. She accordingly, directed the Dy. Public Relations Officer.
Ban on plastic national flags; action will be taken! – Ratnagiri collector
August 8, 2008
Ratnagiri (Maharashtra): On national festivals like Republic Day, Independence Day and Maharashtra Day, national flags made from plastic or paper are commonly used. Later, these flags are found thrown on the roads. As plastic is not easily degradable, the flags are found scattered everywhere for many days and it amounts to insult of our country. Therefore, the Government has imposed a ban on use of plastic flags. In this connection, Shri. Vikaschandra Rastogi, the district collector of Ratnagiri assured that although there is no ban on use of national flags made up of paper, action would be taken if there is denigration of the flags. A representation was submitted to the District Collector on behalf of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) regarding desecration of national flags when he gave the above assurance. A copy of the representation has also been given to the Tehsildar. Shri Rastogi informed that a code of conduct has been prepared for prevention of denigration of national flags and everyone is supposed to follow the code but most of the people are not aware of the same. Therefore, information about the code and how to pay respect to the national flag will be published in newspapers. Even local TV channels would be asked to display a footnote on the subject. All offices would be sent a circular in this regard and even the traders would be made aware of the code related to national flag. HJS made a demand to ban sale of national flags made of plastic as also paper and action to be taken if flags are found strewn all over the roads. Shri. Ratsogi promised to issue orders to that effect to the respective zones. He informed that under clause 2 of ‘Insult of National Honour, Rule, 1971’, if a person is found burning our national flag or any part thereof or tearing it into pieces or desecrating it in any manner or trampling or insulting it, he/she can be punished with 3 years of imprisonment or fine or both. Plastic flags have been banned by the Government vide its circular FLG – 1207/S. No. 11/07/30.
HJS has made an appeal to people to stop insult of national flags through when they make use of it even in their personal capacity or tearing them, throwing them on the roads etc. so as to prevent insult of the nation. It is further appealed that if flags are damaged, as per the code of national flags, the same must be disposed of as per the prescribed procedure. The representation was handed over in the presence of S/Shri. Shankar Bagave of Hindu Mahasabha, Digambar Sathe of Vishwa Hindu Parishada, Hanumant Karambelkar of Sanatan Sanstha, Sanjay Joshi of HJS and Sanjay Kelkar, MLA, Legislative Council and Shri. Mukund Joshi, city-chief of BJP.
Source: ‘Daily Sanatan Prabhat’
