(a) whether several instances of disrespect to the National Flag have been
reported from certain parts of the country during the last one year;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the preventive measures taken to check such incidents and to strictly
implement the various provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National
Honour Act, 1971?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) to (c): Some instances of disrespect to the National Flag have been
brought to the notice of the Government. Such cases are forwarded to the State/
UT government concerned under whose jurisdiction the incident has occurred, to
take action against the defaulter as per the provisions contained in the
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Insult and disrespect of
the National flag is a punishable offence under Section 2 of the Prevention of
Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The Act, inter alia, provides that whoever
in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates,
defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect
to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts)
the Indian National Flag, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. The said Act and the Flag Code
of India 2002 by which the use/display/hoisting of the National Flag is governed,
have been uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs with a view to
creating general awareness among the public at large about the proper use of the
Flag.