The
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all states and union territories to
ensure the general public does not use plastic flags on the occasion of Republic
Day as well as ensure strict compliance with the Flag Code of India (2002).

According
to media reports, the MHA issued an advisory to all state and union territory governments,
urging them to conduct awareness programmes to discourage the use of plastic
flags and educate the public about the correct method of disposal so as to
maintain the its dignity.

“It has
been brought to the notice of this ministry that on the occasions of important
national, cultural, and sports events, national flags made of plastic are being
used in place of paper flags,” the ministry said in its advisory.

“Since
plastic flags are not biodegradable like paper flags, these do not get
decomposed for a long time; and ensuring appropriate disposal of national flag
made of plastic with dignity is a practical problem.”

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The
advisory asked governments to only use paper flags under the provisions of the
Flag Code of India, as well as compliance with The Prevention of Insults to
National Honours Act, 1971, which has provisions for an imprisonment of up to
three years or a fine or both in cases of acts of disrespect towards the
national flag, either by physical mutation or verbal abuse.