Dishonour of National Flag – PIL filed by HJS : Order by Mumbai High Court to Governments to take immediate action

Shravan Krushnapaksha 3, Kaliyug Varsha 5116

PIL filed by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti regarding dishonour to the National Flag

• Taking cognizance of the efforts made by HJS, Mumbai High Court has given the necessary orders.

• Its considered to be a great success of HJS.

With a view to stop the disrespect caused to the national Flag, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) was trying incessantly through agitation, creating public awareness etc. Yet the National Flags were noticed in garbage bins or strewn around in torn state. HJS used to hand over these flags to the Government after duly collecting them. Despite trying continuously by writing letters to the Government in this regard, nothing was being done.

Finally the HJS filed a PIL in the Mumbai High Court in the year 2011. Prior to this, the Mumbai High Court had sent a notice to the state Government asking the additional secretary of the Home Department to be present in person before the court. When this PIL came before the bench comprising Justice Abhay Oak and Justice Chandurkar, respective advocates filed their affidavits on behalf of the State and the Central Governments. The advocate representing the State Government stated the need to make changes in the respective law by furnishing information in his affidavit regarding the various steps taken by the state Government to stop the disrespect caused to the National Flag. On behalf of the State Government, it was stated that, with a view to stop the disrespect caused to the national Flag, the Central Government should make the desired changes in the law to ban the production and distribution of plastic and paper national Flags; because the Central Government has been instrumental in formulating the said Law. The High Court has given the following orders accordingly.

1. This PIL has been registered and the final decision will be taken on 29th September 2014. Till then the respective affidavits to be submitted on behalf of the State and the Central Governments.

2. Collectors of all the districts should form committees at District and Taluka level to create awareness to stop the disrespect of the National Flag. For that they have to seek assistance from institutions rendering social service, local television, cable operators and students.  

3. State Education Department, so also Higher and Technical Education Departments should circulate guidelines to stop the disrespect of the national Flag. In this way, taking cognisance of the efforts made by HJS, Mumbai High Court has given the necessary orders and is considered to be a great success of HJS.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat