Journey of the Tiranga/India’s National Flag

About Journey of the Tiranga/ India’s National Flag

• The National Flag embodies the sacrifices of the freedom movement and the ideals of the Republic.
• Evolution During the Freedom Movement: 
  • 1904: Sister Nivedita designed one of the earliest Indian flags with yellow and red colours, a Vajra symbol and a white lotus, representing India’s cultural and spiritual nationalism.
  • 1906: During the Swadeshi Movement, Sachindra Prasad Bose and Hemchandra Kanungo hoisted a tricolour at Parsee Bagan Square, Calcutta, featuring eight lotus flowers, “Vande Mataram”, the sun and crescent moon.
  • 1907: Madam Bhikaji Cama unfurled the Saptarishi Flag at the International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart, Germany, the first known hoisting of an Indian national flag on foreign soil.
  • 1917: During the Home Rule Movement, Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak introduced a flag with red and green stripes, the Union Jack, seven stars, and a crescent with a star.
  • 1921: Pingali Venkayya presented a flag design to Mahatma Gandhi at the AICC meeting in Bezwada (Vijayawada). Gandhi suggested adding a white band and the Charkha, forming the basis of the present Tricolour.
  • 1931: The Indian National Congress adopted the saffron-white-green tricolour with the Charkha, regarded as the precursor to the present National Flag.
• Adoption of the National Flag
  • June 1947: The Constituent Assembly appointed an ad hoc committee to recommend the National Flag. The committee retained the 1931 tricolour but replaced the Charkha with the Ashoka Chakra.
  • The Constituent Assembly adopted the present National Flag on July 22, 1947.
  • The Ashoka Chakra was taken from the Dharma Chakra on the Lion Capital of Emperor Ashoka at Sarnath.
  • The Tricolour became India’s National Flag on August 15, 1947.
• Symbolism
  • The saffron band represents courage, sacrifice and selflessness.
  • White signifies peace, truth and integrity
  • Green stands for prosperity, growth and harmony with nature.
  • At the centre of the white band is the Ashoka Chakra, symbolising Dharma, justice and continuous progress.
  • Its 24 spokes underscore the importance of constant movement, ethical governance and the rule of law.
• Constitutional and Legal Framework
  • The Constitution does not prescribe the design or specifications of the National Flag.
  • Article 51A(a) makes it a Fundamental Duty to respect the National Flag.
  • Its display and protection are governed by:
    • Flag Code of India, 2002
    • Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950
    • Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
• Dimensions and Specifications
  • It is manufactured as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications under the Flag Code.
  • It maintains a 3:2 length-to-height ratio with three equal horizontal bands.
  • The Ashoka Chakra has 24 equally spaced navy blue spokes.
  • Traditionally made only from hand-spun and handwoven khadi. 2022 amendments allowed machine-made flags and flags made of polyester, cotton, wool, silk and bunting, besides khadi.
• Display of the National Flag
  • The Flag Code of India, 2002 (effective January 26, 2002) governs the display and use of the National Flag.
  • 2022 amendments allowed the Tricolour to be flown day and night
  • The Flag may be flown every day if displayed with dignity.
  • It must not:
    • Touch the ground or water.
    • Be used as drapery, decoration or for commercial purposes.
    • When displayed with other flags, it must occupy the position of honour.
    • Damaged or soiled flags must be disposed of with dignity.
• Punishable: Disrespect to the National Flag is punishable under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.