HC asks govt offices to stop unlawful display of national flag behind chairs, sofas
The court also directed the Cabinet secretary to form a three-member committee to investigate whether national flags being displayed in government offices are being used in accordance with the National Flag Rules and submit a report within 60 days.
The High Court has directed officials and employees of government and autonomous institutions to stop unlawfully displaying the national flag behind their chairs or sofas.
The court also directed the Cabinet secretary to form a three-member committee to investigate whether national flags being displayed in government offices are being used in accordance with the National Flag Rules and submit a report within 60 days.
The committee will comprise a judicial officer, a representative of the Cabinet Division and a teacher from a public university.
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A High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice SM Iftakher Uddin Mahmud passed the orders today (25 August) after a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed by lawyer Sharif Sarkar.
HM Sanjid Siddiqui appeared for the petitioner.
The court also issued a rule asking why the practice of placing the national flag behind government officials while they sit in front of it or displaying it behind their chairs should not be declared illegal.
Speaking to the media, Sanjid said officials at various government offices had recently been displaying national flags behind their desks or chairs while sitting in front of them.
"Displaying the national flag beside a chair or table in this manner is not permitted by law," he said.
He said the National Flag Rules, 1972, allow 15 categories of people to use the national flag at their offices, residences and vehicles.
"However, officials at various government offices, particularly offices under the Secretariat and government corporations, have recently been displaying a flag behind their chairs. The rules do not provide for such a display," he said.
According to Sanjid, the rules require the national flag displayed on a building to be flown from sunrise to sunset and to remain free-floating.
"The flag has to be in a flying position when it is hoisted. But the flags being displayed behind officials are often bent or curved and simply placed behind them while they sit in front," he said.
In its interim order, the court directed officials and employees of government and autonomous offices not to display the national flag unlawfully beside or behind their chairs or sofas.
