The Union Home Affairs Ministry on Monday urged everyone to ensure strict compliance with the Flag Code while disposing of the Indian National Flag.
"Soiled, distorted, damaged or broken National Flag should be disposed of as per the directions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India under Flag Code of India-2002 under Section-V (misuse) and in terms of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (as amended)," the ministry said in a statement.
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The Indian National Flag, also called the “Tricolour” or “Tiranga”, must be completely destroyed in private when it is damaged and it should either be burned or interred. Treating the national flag with disrespect is an offense as per the rules mentioned in the Flag Code of India, 2002, it stated.
As per the Flag Code of India, 2002, there are two ways to dispose of the National Flag – burning or burying. Even while choosing any of the processes a strict rule has to be followed. To bury the flags, all damaged flags should be gathered, folded, and put in a wooden box before being buried. A moment of silence is to be observed once the flags are buried, the ministry stated.
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To burn the flag, all the damaged and soiled flags must be properly collected and positioned in the centre of the flames after starting a fire. Flags burned without folding or burning the flags first and then putting it on fire is an offense. It should be noted that the National Flag is a symbol of pride and its dignity should be maintained while disposing of it, it added.
