Aim to save Khadi flags and revive rural India

Mysore/Mysuru: Protesting against the amendments made to the Flag Code, a padayatra will be taken out from Gandhi Square near Town Hall to Freedom Fighters Park at Subbarayana Kere in Mysuru on July 31. Also, day-long cultural events have been planned at Subbarayana Kere and will be held on the day as part of the ‘Flag Satyagraha’ or ‘Dwaja Satyagraha’ to oppose the amendment to the National Flag Code.

Unfazed by the Opposition’s attacks, the Government has intensified efforts to get more people to join its ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign (hoisting of flag in every home) from Aug. 13 to 15 to mark Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. To meet the unprecedented demand for the Tricolour, the Centre has changed the Flag Code of India 2002 that governs the use, display and hoisting of the National Flag in the country.

The amendment allowed machine-made and polyester flags to be used for the National flag. In the notification, the Government had replaced paragraph 1.2 of Part I of the Flag Code with “The National Flag shall be made of hand-spun and handwoven or machine-made, cotton/ polyester/ wool/ silk khadi bunting.”

However, a section of khadi weavers is opposing the amendments, saying that the demand for khadi flags has suffered due to the new rules.

Kalachanne Gowda, convenor of Citizen’s Forum (Nagarika Samithi) Mysuru told reporters at Pathrakarthara Bhavan recently that the padayatra will begin at 9.30 am on July 31 and upon reaching the Freedom Fighters Park, cultural activities will begin from 10.30 am. The activities include exhibitions of paintings, singing and dancing, play-acting and discussions, besides an exhibition of khadi yarn making and the sale of khadi flags.

Theatre personality and social activist Prasanna said that as per Rule 1.2 of Part 1 of the Flag Code of India 2002, only Khadi or hand-spun cloth was the material for the flag. “Use of other materials was not allowed. But the recent amendment has changed where the National Flag can be made of hand-spun and hand-woven or machine-made, cotton, polyester, wool and silk Khadi bunting which is not acceptable.”

Pointing out that the Flag Code amendment allows the machine-made polyester that is made in India or imported from elsewhere can be used to prepare the Indian flag, Prasanna said that the Government does not need the contributions made by farmers, spinners, villagers, women and poor anymore but are running behind MNC companies who make huge profit in the country’s economy.