India@75: Do you know about the Flag Code of India?

Every free nation in the world has its own flag, a symbol of pride for any country. The National Flag of India was adopted in its present form during the meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22 July 1947, a few days before India's independence.

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Indians across the nation will be celebrating the 75th Independence Day on August 15. But before hoisting the Tiranga, make yourself aware about the Flag Code of India based on the 26th January 2002 legislation.

According to the previous Flag Code of India, citizens of the country did not have the right to hoist the Indian Flag except on some important days such as Republic day, Independence day and on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday. However, on 26th January 2002, the Flag Code was changed, giving Indians the freedom to proudly display the National Flag anywhere and at any time.

The credit for giving this right to citizens of the country goes to well-known businessman and Congress leader Naveen Jindal. He fought a legal battle that began in the year 1992, and finally saw it come to fruition on 22 December 2002, after running the case in court for 10 years.

Being a national symbol, the Indian National Flag should be respected by every Indian and its hoisting must be done in a manner as mandated by the law. Failure to adhere to these rules and regulations could be construed as disrespect, leading to even some prison time.

Here's a roundup of the Flag Code of India.

• The flag should always be made of cotton, silk or khadi and the use of plastic flags is strictly prohibited
• The flag should always be of rectangular shape, with a ratio of 3:2
• The Ashoka Chakra must have 24 spokes
• It is forbidden to write or draw anything on the National Flag
• The tricolor should never touch the ground
• You cannot raise or keep any other flag higher than the National Flag
• You cannot wear the flag below the waist, nor can you use the tricolour as any kind of uniform or decoration
• Under no circumstances should the flag hoisted be cut, torn, dirty or damaged
• If the flag is placed on an officer's vehicle, it should be placed in the centre towards the front or on the right side of the car
• The flag should be raised from sunrise to sunset, after which it should be lowered respectfully
• The National Flag can be hoisted at night after an amendment made in the year 2009
• The flag remains at half-mast only on a National occasion
• The martyrs who gave their lives for the country are wrapped in the tricolour. During this, the saffron band should be towards the head and the green band towards the feet. After cremating or burying the dead body, the flag should also be burned or buried

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