Raipur (thestates.news)| Our National Flag that beams as our Country’s pride at every nook and corner today did not always have had that freedom. Before 1995, the Flag Code of India restrained private Indian individuals from displaying the National Flag, except on certain days. Due to this, the then commissioner of Bilaspur objected to Mr. Naveen Jindal displaying the Flag at his factory premises in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh where he wanted to display it every day.
Mr. Jindal, a true Indian patriot, then filed a plea under Article 226 of the Constitution of India before the Delhi High Court, claiming that “prohibition imposed upon him by virtue of the Flag Code is in an infringement of his fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(l) (a) of the Constitution.” 22nd September 1995 was a milestone in Mr. Naveen Jindal’s journey of earning freedom for our National Flag. On this day, the Delhi High Court ruled in favor of Mr. Jindal’s petition, stating that restrictions in the Flag Code on flag can only be enforced if law is breached.
However, his legal battles did not end here as the Union of India filed a petition in 1996 before the Supreme Court, challenging the judgment passed by the Delhi High Court. In 2004, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, ruling that flying the Flag is the Fundamental Right of an Indian citizen that grants freedom of speech and expression. Even though it took a decade for the Flag to earn its freedom, the Tiranga today can be seen standing tall across the Country, shining day and night amidst the calm waves of independence. As Mr. Jindal says, “Our Tiranga is the wind beneath the wings of a billion-plus people whose dreams are ready to take flight, hopes soaring with confidence in our ability to be the change we want to be.”
Our National Flag, Our Pride, earned its liberation after ten long years of legal struggle. Until 1995, the Flag Code of India forbade private Indian citizens from displaying the Tiranga, except on certain days. Due to this, the then commissioner of Bilaspur objected to Mr. Naveen Jindal displaying the Flag every day at his factory in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. Mr. Naveen Jindal then filed a plea under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution before the Delhi High Court, legally claiming it was his fundamental right. 22nd September 1995 was a milestone in this journey as the Delhi High Court ruled in favor of Mr. Jindal’s petition, stating that restrictions in the Flag Code related to the Flag can only be enforced if breaking them is against the law.
However, in 1996, the Union of India petitioned before the Supreme Court, challenging the Delhi High Court’s ruling. In 2004, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, ruling that flying the Flag is the Fundamental Right of an Indian citizen that grants freedom of speech and expression. After ten years of struggle, the Tiranga was finally liberated and now flies free across the country. As Mr. Jindal says, “Our Tiranga is the wind beneath the wings of a billion-plus people whose dreams are ready to take flight, hopes soaring with confidence in our ability to be the change we want to be.”
