HC forms committee to protect national flag’s dignity

The High Court has formed a three-member committee to investigate the improper display and use of the national flag at government offices and report its findings within 60 days.

The committee will include a judicial officer, a representative of the Cabinet Division and a professor from a public university.

The committee will examine whether national flags are being displayed, hung or raised behind chairs and sofas used by government officials at government offices and statutory bodies. It will also assess whether such practices comply with the Bangladesh National Anthem, Flag and Emblem Order, 1972 and the Bangladesh Flag Rules, 1972.

A High Court bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice SM Iftekhar Uddin Mahmud issued the written order on Tuesday.

The court directed officials who are not legally entitled to use the national flag to refrain from displaying it behind chairs or sofas in their offices. They were also ordered not to use the flag as interior decoration, office ornamentation or a personal backdrop.

The court had earlier, on August 25, directed officials and employees of government and autonomous institutions to refrain from unlawfully displaying the flag behind their chairs or sofas.

Barrister HM Sanjid Siddiqui appeared for the writ petitioner. Advocate Sharif Sarker filed the writ petition.

Siddiqui said some government officials had recently been displaying the national flag behind their desks or chairs and using it as a backdrop.

He said the 1972 flag rules allow 15 categories of people to use the national flag at their offices, residences and vehicles. However, the rules do not permit officials to display it behind their chairs.