Flag code of India

       There are many things that I have found recently which must be followed while using the Indian Flag.

Can we wear the flag as a part of stage show?

                             No, Indian Flag should never be used for wearing. Like, during any stage shows, if any one wears a flag as a shirt, it is a serious violation.

Can we keep the Indian Flag on our cars?

                             No, Only the President of India, PM, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Justice, Ambassadors in other countries, state CMs, cabinet ministers have such a privilege. Not even normal members of Parliament and legislative assemblies have the privilege of flying the National flag on motor car.

What to do with a damaged flag?

                            When the flag is in a damaged or soiled condition,it should be destroyed as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of the flag.

Can the flag be hoisted  on a private building?

                             Till 2002, private institutions were never allowed to hoist the flag. A FIR was lodged against Naveen Jindal for hoisting flag over a private building. He moved a  PIL in supreme court and won it. Since then, private citizens are allowed to fly India's flag inside and atop their buildings and institutions.

What are the common rules to be followed by private citizens?

• Indian Flag should be higher than all other flags.
• It should be lowered at night.
• Even in-case of heavy rain, storm or wind, the hoisted flag must not be lowered during day time.
• The flag can only be half masted in the event of the death of the important dignitaries. The following rules must be followed while doing the same as a part of observing state-mourning:

1. If the President or Vice-President or Prime Minister of India passes away, flag must be half-masted all over the Nation.
2. In the event of other cabinet ministers, speaker, Chief Justice passing away, it must be done all over New Delhi.
3. If the CM, state ministers, speakers of Legislative assembly etc pass away, it must be done in the respective state capital only.
4. What if, the death happens on a national holiday? (Independence day, republic holiday etc). If that is the situation, it must be half-mast only on the building where the body is kept.

•   The flag should never touch the ground, whatever may be the situation.
•   Nothing should be written on the flag, should not be a spoiled one and should not be a half-burnt one.

Some interesting situations w.r.t. Indian Flag, anthem and Map:

1. In 2007, Indian Cricket team has cut a cake that has Indian Flag made of cream on it. Indian players later apologized.
2. Indian cricket team used to have BCCI emblem over the Indian Flag. This lead to a big controversy.
3. In a Telugu movie 'Chathrapathi', the hero asks for one leg space in Vishakapatnam (okka adugu) by keeping his leg on the Indian Map placed against a wall. This was the main scene of the movie. A PIL was filed against this scene and the director had to apologize.
4. In the movie Kabhi kushi, Kabhi Gam there is a scene where people sing the national anthem in London. A PIL was filed in the high court to remove the scene.
5. Plastic Indian Flags are now banned as a part of go-green initiative.
6. When a President travels in an Indian Train, the Indian flag must be placed at the engine driver's cabin to the side of platform. The flag must be placed only when the train is stationary and must not be flying when the train is moving.
7. When the President or PM is on official visit to a nation, he must carry the flags of those nations along with him and they must be kept at the same level. Suppose if he is traveling from India to US via UK, he must keep both the flags alongside the National flag as a gesture of courtesy and goodwill.
8. When representative of other nation travels in same vehicle along with Indian head, the Indian Flag must be placed to the right while the other flag must be placed at the left.

 Any violation to above will be considered to be insult to the nation and it will lead to severe punishment. So, let us be extremely careful while using the Indian Flag.