HC directs not to display national flag behind chairs of government officials

The High Court (HC) has directed that officers and employees of government offices and autonomous institutions not display the national flag behind chairs or sofas in an unlawful manner.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice SM Iftekhar Uddin Mahmud issued this directive along with a rule in the context of a writ on Tuesday (August 25).

Advocate Sharif Sarker filed this writ. Advocate HM Sanjid Siddiqui conducted the hearing on behalf of the writ.

Later Sanjid Siddiqui informed that recently national flags have been seen being displayed behind the tables or chairs of officers in various government offices. But according to the National Flag Rules, 1972 there is no scope for displaying the flag in this manner.

He said that according to the rules, 15 specific types of persons can use the national flag in offices, residences and vehicles. However, there is no provision for regular display of the flag behind the chairs of officers of various subordinate government offices, especially offices under the secretariat and corporations.

The lawyer further said that according to the rules, if the national flag is displayed on any building it has to be displayed from sunrise to sunset and the flag has to remain free-floating or flying. But the flags kept behind chairs are often in a bent or folded condition.

After the hearing the court issued a rule seeking to know why such use of officers of the government sitting in front and keeping the flag behind or displaying the flag behind the chair will not be declared illegal.

In the interim order, a directive has been given to refrain officers and employees of government offices and autonomous institutions from displaying the national flag beside chairs or sofas in an unlawful manner.

Besides, the court has directed the Cabinet Secretary to form a three-member committee to verify whether the flag is being displayed in office rooms by properly following the National Flag Rules. The committee will include one judicial officer, one representative of the Cabinet Division and one teacher of a public university.

The committee has been asked to submit a report on this matter within 60 days.