Government officials themselves violating national flag rules

Orders and regulations governing the national flag are not being followed even in government offices and statutory institutions. Many officials and employees who are not entitled or eligible to use the national flag are violating government rules by displaying it behind their chairs or on their desks. In such cases, the correct size, proportions and colors of the national flag are not being maintained.

Against this backdrop, the Cabinet Division has written to secretaries, asking them to instruct their subordinate offices and constitutional or autonomous bodies to take necessary measures to ensure that the national flag is treated with due respect and dignity.

Several secretaries of ministries and divisions confirmed the development to Agamir Somoy. However, they declined to be identified in the media. They also said they had already issued the necessary instructions to offices and agencies under their respective ministries.

Speaking in similar terms, they told Agamir Somoy, “Inspired by patriotism, many people display the national flag on their office desks, motorcycles, sofas or tables in March and December. Following the July mass uprising, this trend is also increasing again in July and August. Since the issue is linked to the emotions of ordinary people, sometimes we have to pretend not to notice it even when we see it. Instructions have now been issued. We hope everyone will comply.”

Sources said the Cabinet Division sent a letter to all secretaries on October 11, instructing them to ensure due respect and dignity for the national flag when it is displayed in government and statutory institutions.

The letter stated that it had recently been observed that some officials or individuals working in government and statutory institutions were displaying the national flag on a vertical pole behind chairs or sofas in their office rooms, even though they were not entitled or eligible to use it.

According to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Flag Rules, 1972, the national flag may be displayed only from sunrise to sunset, except on motor vehicles, watercraft and aircraft. However, some offices are keeping the national flag displayed around the clock.

In addition, the national flag is being used inside office rooms for decoration, ornamentation or as a personal or official backdrop without maintaining its correct size, proportions and colors. This directly violates the Bangladesh National Anthem, Flag and Emblem Order, 1972 and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Flag Rules, 1972.

In these circumstances, the letter requested the secretaries, under instructions from the competent authority, to take the necessary measures to ensure due respect and dignity for the national flag and issue appropriate directives to subordinate offices and constitutional or autonomous bodies.

Why the Instructions Were Issued

Earlier, on August 25, the High Court directed the Cabinet Secretary to form a three member committee and submit a report examining whether displaying, hoisting or using the national flag behind chairs and sofas used by officials of government offices and statutory bodies was consistent with the law and regulations.

The High Court issued the directive along with a rule following the preliminary hearing of a writ petition. The bench comprised Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice S M Iftakhar Uddin Mahmud.

On that day, H M Sanjeed Siddiqui, the lawyer for the writ petitioner, said the court had directed the formation of a committee comprising a judicial officer, a teacher from a public university and a representative of the Cabinet Division. The committee was instructed to submit its report within 60 days.

On August 20, Dhaka based lawyer Md. Sharif Sarkar filed the writ petition, arguing that displaying, hoisting or using the national flag behind the chairs and sofas of officials in government offices and statutory bodies violated the Bangladesh National Anthem, Flag and Emblem Order, 1972 and the Flag Rules.

Lawyer Sanjeed Siddiqui represented the petitioner during the hearing. Deputy Attorney General Khan Ziaur Rahman appeared for the state.

The petitioner’s side said the rule sought an explanation as to why officials of government offices and statutory bodies who were not legally entitled to use or display the national flag should not be considered to be acting without lawful authority when displaying it beside or behind their chairs and sofas.

Lawyer Sanjeed Siddiqui had said the 1972 Flag Rules emphasized protecting the dignity, image and honor of the national flag.

He said, “The 1972 rules allow the national flag to be used on important government buildings, at the residences of 15 categories of individuals and on the vehicles of eight categories of individuals. No one outside these categories can use it. The 15 categories of individuals whose residences may display the flag include the president, prime minister, speaker, deputy speaker, ministers and deputy ministers. However, the rules do not provide for displaying or using the national flag inside office rooms.”