Time and again there have been instances where people unintentionally got in trouble for wearing tricolour in the spirit of patriotism.
Back in 2014, Bollywood actor Mallika Sherawat was booked for disrespecting the national flag. She had wrapped a tricolour on her body for a movie poster. In 2017, Priyanka Chopra was also brutally trolled on the Internet when she chose to wear a tricolour scarf to celebrate her love for the nation.
Later, in 2020 after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, people started selling and wearing tricolour masks around Independence Day. This was greatly opposed by the Indian policymakers and such masks were banned across the country.
So, what does the law say about wearing the three colours as a part of the outfit?
In 2005, the Lok Sabha passed a bill that allowed Indian citizens to wear the tricolour as part of their attire, if worn respectably.
As per the law, it is illegal to wear the tricolour anywhere below the waist and it cannot be used in items of daily use such as cushions, handkerchiefs and undergarments. Offence related to disobeying the code could lead to imprisonment of minimum one year.
So, before choosing your Independence Day outfit this year, remember that while it is not entirely illegal to wear the tricolours, it is important to do so with reverence.
You can try out a tricoloured t-shirt, saree, dupatta, or even incorporate it in accessories like a turban, earrings and bangles to showcase your love for the country. You can also wear the tricolour in any form above the waist without the Ashoka Chakra as it will not be considered offensive.