The Centre has tweaked the Flag Code of India to allow the Tricolour to be displayed in the open and on houses and buildings through day and night.
Now, a member of the public, a private organisation or an educational institution is allowed to hoist the flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise, consistent with the dignity and honour of the national flag.
Earlier, the Tricolour was only allowed to be displayed from sunrise to sunset irrespective of weather conditions.
Machine-made and polyester flags were not allowed. The move came in the wake of the Government decision to launch a ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ (hoisting of flag in every home) from August 13 to 15 as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ which commemorates 75 years of a progressive, independent India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have appealed to the citizens to hoist the Tricolour at their homes during those three days. Shah said : “During the 75th year of Independence, citizens should pledge to rededicate themselves to the Tricolour for the development, bright future and security of the country.”
The Flag Code of India 2002 brings together all laws, conventions, practices, and instructions for the display of the national flag by private, public, and Government institutions. Before the Code took effect on January 26, 2002, the rules for the display of the national flag were governed by the provisions of The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. As per Clause 2.1 of the Flag Code of India, there shall be no restriction on the display of the national flag by members of the general public, private organisations, educational institutions etc. consistent with the dignity and honour of the national flag.
Till 2004, ordinary citizens were not allowed to display the national flag except on select days. Successive governments have time and again amended the rules to ensure the flag reaches more and more people— allowing people to wear the flag, allowing monumental flags, recent amendment in the Flag Code for cloth material and now this amendment to fly the flag 24 hours.
