(Image source from: The Sentinel)

A day ahead of 72nd Independence Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an advisory against the use of national flags made of plastic and suggested the usage of paper flags as an alternative.

The UT Administrations, Administrators of all State Governments, Secretaries of all Ministries, Departments of Government of India, the MHA in an official note to chief secretaries ordered rigorous compliance of the provisions restrained in the 'Flag Code of India, 2002' and 'The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971'.

"The National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of our country and hence should occupy a position of honor. There are universal affection, respect, and loyalty to the National Flag," the notice read.

The MHA said that as plastic flags are not well biodegradable like paper flags, these do not get decomposed for a long time and ensuring appropriate disposal of national flags made of plastic commensurate with the dignity of the flag, is a practical problem.

In the wake of this, the Ministry said that on important national, cultural and sports events, flags made of paper only are to be used by the public in terms of the provisions of the 'Flag Code of India, 2002' and such paper flags must not be throwaway on the ground after the event.

The security has been beefed up across the country, with special traffic arrangements and restrictions imposed in the national capital starting Monday.

By Sowmya Sangam