Tuesday, July 5 2005 15:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Concerned over instances of 'disrespect' to the National Flag, the Union Cabinet today (July 5, 2005) decided to amend the existing law to prevent its misuse in dress materials like undergarments.

A meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy told reporters.

Reddy said "The proposed amendment seeks to prohibit use of National Flag on any undergarment or any dress, costume, uniform or accessory worn below the waist or embroidering or printing it on cushions, gloves, handkerchiefs and napkins.

The proposed amendment also seeks to withdraw the restriction on the use of National Flag as a portion of costume or uniform by the members of public, in general, and the sports persons in particular.

While approving the liberalisation in the use and display of the National Flag by members of public, the Cabinet had decided a couple of years ago that in due course an amendment to the Act may be considered for making the penalty more stringent for deliberate insult to National Flag for second and subsequent offence.

Subsequently, the Act was amended in 2003 by making 'disrespect' to National Flag a punishable offence and an inclusive definition of disrespect was added to the Act.

The Cabinet today (July 5, 2005) approved the proposal to withdraw the restriction to use National Flag on costumes and dress material with certain safeguards like that it would be used on undergarments and dresses or accessories worn below the waist, he said.

On the basis of the report of a National Flag Committee set up in 2000, a new 'Flag Code of India-2002' was finalised and brought into effect from January 26, 2002. It withdrew all restrictions on display of National Flag by members of the general public, private organisations and educational institutions except in certain cases.