SMC continues to violates National Flag Code

People demand stepping down of irresponsible officials

Zahid Yaqoob/ Tariq Bhat

Srinagar, Nov 1: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has come under severe criticism for showing disrespect to National Flag Code, with people demanding stepping down of ‘irresponsible’ officials.

The SMC has unfurled National Flag in its premises but don’t retreat it with sunset as mandated under Flag Code.

“This violation of Flag Code is unacceptable to us. We demand resignation of officials responsible for this Constitutional misbehavior. National Flag is our pride and we will hold peaceful protests in case erring officials are not booked under law asked to resign,” said a group of visitors at SMC.

In 2002, the Flag Code of India came into effect which allowed the unrestricted display of the Tricolour as long as the honour and dignity of the flag were being respected.
The flag code did not replace the pre-existing rules governing the correct display of the flag; it was, however, an effort to bring together all the previous laws, conventions and practices.

A group of youngsters in Srinagar said that “SMC is spreading hatred against National Flag by violating its Code.”

“The SMC must first learn Code of the Flag and then unfurl it. We protest against their misbehavior shown to the Code of Flag,” they added, stressing that they want to see what government has to say about matter.

“What government will do against erring officials whether these SMC officials are elected are selected, is yet to be seen. Let us see what message is sent out by government against this violation. Shall it stop it hear or encourage others that such violations doesn’t matter,” said a law expert.

In 2002, the Flag Code of India came into effect which allowed the unrestricted display of the Tricolour as long as the honour and dignity of the flag were being respected.
The flag code did not replace the pre-existing rules governing the correct display of the flag; it was, however, an effort to bring together all the previous laws, conventions and practices.

The professor of law at Kashmir University said that The Flag Code of 2002 is divided into three parts — a general description of the tricolour, rules on display of the flag by public and private bodies and educational institutions, and rules for display of the flag by governments and government bodies.

“Section III, Subsection 3.6 of the Indian Flag Code 2002 states, “Where the practice is to fly the flag on any public building, it shall be flown on that building on all days including Sundays and holidays and, except as provided in this code, it shall be flown from sunrise to sunset irrespective of weather conditions. The flag may be flown on such a building at night also but this should be only on very special occasions,” he said.