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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

President takes prompt cognizance

Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu has taken immediate cognizance of a plea pointing at grave insults to the Indian Tricolour (Tiranga) in pubs and hotels, violations to the Flag Code of India, 2002, in the name of celebrating Republic Day and Independence Day. Pune businessman-cum-activist Prafful Sarda had shot off a complaint to the President on Jan. 26 but was surprised to receive a response from her office in less than 72 hours. Under Secretary Lakshmi Maharabooshanam in the President’s...

President takes prompt cognizance

Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu has taken immediate cognizance of a plea pointing at grave insults to the Indian Tricolour (Tiranga) in pubs and hotels, violations to the Flag Code of India, 2002, in the name of celebrating Republic Day and Independence Day. Pune businessman-cum-activist Prafful Sarda had shot off a complaint to the President on Jan. 26 but was surprised to receive a response from her office in less than 72 hours. Under Secretary Lakshmi Maharabooshanam in the President’s Secretariat at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replied to Sarda on forwarding his complaint to the Ministry of Home Affairs for necessary action. It further stated that action taken in the matter must be conveyed directly to Sarda. “It’s a pleasant surprise indeed that the President has taken serious note of the issue of insults to the National Flag at night-clubs, pubs, lounges, sports bars and other places all over the country. The blatant mishandling of the National Flag also violates the specially laid-down provisions of the Flag Code of India,” said Sarda. He pointed out that the Tricolor is a sacred symbol and not a ‘commercial prop’ for entertainment purposes to be used by artists without disregard for the rules. “There are multiple videos, reels or photos available on social media… It's painful to view how the National Flag is being grossly misused, disrespected and even displayed at late nights or early morning hours, flouting the rules,” Sarda said. The more worrisome aspect is that such transgressions are occurring openly, repeatedly and apparently without any apprehensions for the potential consequences. This indicates serious lapses in the enforcement and supervision, but such unchecked abuse could portend dangerous signals that national symbols can be ‘trivialized and traded for profits’. He urged the President to direct the issue of stringent written guidelines with circular to all such private or commercial outlets on mandatory compliance with the Flag Code of India, conduct special awareness drives, surprise checks on such venues and regular inspections to curb the misuse of the Tricolour. Flag Code of India, 2002 Perturbed over the “perceptible lack of awareness” not only among the masses but also governmental agencies with regard to the laws, practices and conventions for displaying the National Flag as per the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the centre had brought out the detailed 25-page Flag Code of India, 2002. The Flag Code of India has minute guidelines on the display of the Tricolour, the happy occasions when it flies high, or the sad times when it is at half-mast, the privileged dignitaries who are entitled to display it on their vehicles, etc. Certain violations attract hefty fines and/or imprisonment till three years.

Shiv Sena to rule KDMC

Kalyan: The political uncertainty surrounding the mayoral post of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) came to an end on Friday, as the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and BJP, with support from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), filed unopposed nomination papers for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Shiv Sena corporator Adv. Harshali Thavil filed her nomination for Mayor, while BJP corporator Rahul Damle filed his nomination for Deputy Mayor, making their election virtually certain.


Friday marked the last day for filing nomination papers for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections of the KDMC. With only one nomination received for each post, the outcome of the elections is now almost decided. As a result, the special general body meeting scheduled for February 3 is expected to be a mere formality.


The nomination papers were filed in the presence of senior leaders from Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), BJP, and MNS, reflecting a united front within the Mahayuti alliance. Those present included Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, MLA Rajesh More, MNS leader Raju Patil, BJP leaders Nandu Mhatre, Nana Suryavanshi, Gopal Landge, along with several party office bearers and workers.


Speaking on the occasion, MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde expressed confidence that the city’s development would gain momentum under the leadership of the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor. He specifically thanked the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for extending support to the Mahayuti. “Shiv Sena and BJP already had significant strength, and with MNS support, the alliance has become stronger. This unity will help accelerate development works in Kalyan-Dombivli,” he said, expressing hope that both posts would be filled unopposed on February 3.


Alliance in UMC

The Shiv Sena and BJP have finally come together to share power in the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation. As part of the power-sharing arrangement, Ashwini Kamlesh Nikam of the Shiv Sena, who was elected on the Shiv Sena symbol from the Kalani group, has been nominated for the post of Mayor, while BJP’s Amar Lund has been given the opportunity to contest for the Deputy Mayor’s post. With almost all political parties coming together except the Congress, the opposition has been reduced to just a single corporator.


The election process for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation is scheduled to be held on February 3. Nomination papers were filed on Friday.


Shiv Sena's Sharmila Rohit Pimpalolkar and Krishna Dadu Patil of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday submitted nomination papers for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor, respectively, in Thane, municipal secretary Manish Joshi said.

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