The Supreme Court will decide on July 14 whether political and religious groups can use the national flag for campaigns or rituals, raising questions about national flag misuse in India.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India, on July 14, is scheduled to hear a crucial petition that challenges the growing trend of using the Indian national flag for partisan political or religious purposes.
The plea seeks judicial intervention to restrain political parties and religious groups from appropriating the flag for propaganda and symbolic demonstrations that may undermine the sanctity of the national emblem.
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The petition is listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai, Justice K Vinod Chandran, and Justice N V Anjaria. It highlights increasing instances where political campaigns, rallies, and religious processions have displayed the national flag with party logos, religious symbols, or ideologically driven messages, a practice the petitioner deems a disrespectful misuse of a unifying national symbol.
The petitioner has made a clear and urgent appeal to the Supreme Court to issue:
“Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction… to prevent any political party or religious group from using the national flag for partisan or religious purposes, including but not limited to placing party logos, religious symbols or texts on the national flag.”
The plea relies heavily on the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and the Flag Code of India, 2002, both of which lay down strict rules governing the proper use of the Indian flag. According to the petitioner, any deviation from these guidelines amounts to dishonouring the flag, warranting legal consequences and proactive enforcement.
The Flag Code of India explicitly prohibits the use of the flag for commercial, religious, or political purposes and mandates that the flag must not be allowed to touch the ground or be used as a drapery in any form except on statutorily recognized occasions.
The issue arises amidst increasing concern over the appropriation of the national flag by political parties and religious groups during election campaigns and religious processions. The Supreme Court’s verdict could set a crucial precedent, potentially reshaping the rules governing public demonstrations and political symbolism in India.
The matter will be held on 14th July, i.e., Monday.
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