Delhi court notice to governments on display of national flag

The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the central and the city governments on a petition seeking directions to ensure that the national flag and the national emblem are respectfully displayed at all occasions and places.

A division bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath sought the responses from the ministry of urban affairs and the city government by Aug 7.

The court's notice was issued on the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist and film-maker Ulhas P.R.

The petitioner said that the misrepresentation of the national flag by the government departments on different occasions was reported in news papers and despite online complaints no action was taken.

The plea said: "Direct the respondents (union and city government) to see the violators of national flag and national emblem are adequately punished so as to keep up the dignity of the nation and the national honour, in the light of the provisions of Article 51 (A) of the Constitution as well as the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act and Flag Code of India."

"The Delhi and Gujarat governments in their advertisements show national flag without Ashoka Chakra and in animated form...," counsel R.K. Kapoor, appearing for the petitioner, said citing various instances.

The plea added: "The Prime Minister of India's Facebook page also show India's national flag differently on different occasions. On some occasions, the spokes in Ashoka Chakra show eight spokes and in some 12 instead of 24 spokes."

The petitioner claimed that complaints were sent to various ministries, including the home ministry and the department of administrative reforms and public grievances, but no action was taken.