Take legal action against Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, etc. that sell ‘masks’ resembling the National Flag : Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

Objective in depicting this is not to hurt national sentiments, but to highlight the nature of insult.

Mumbai – The ‘Indian National Flag’ is a symbol of pride for billions of Indians; using it for anything other than a few exceptions is a cognizable and non-bailable offence.

However, e-commerce websites such as Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, etc. have been selling these sensitive items in large numbers on National days such as 26^th January and 15th of August  by making masks in the colours of the Indian National Flag.

In a statement submitted to the Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah by ‘Surajya Abhiyan’ – initiative of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti – a demand was made that an offence be registered against these organisations for insulting the National Flag and legal action be taken to prevent the sale, production and distribution of such masks.

The National Flag is not an object to be used in decoration. The use of such masks will result in sneezing, spitting turning it into unsanitary conditions, and finally throwing them in the trash after use. This would be an insult to the National Flag, which is an offence under the Prevention of Improper Use) Act,1950, Section 2 and 5.

It is also a punishable offence under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insult to the National Dignity Act, 1971. The statement said that the Government should strictly implement the provisions in the above Acts.