High Court Orders Investigation Into Unauthorized Display of National Flag in Government Offices
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The High Court has ordered the Cabinet Secretary to form a three-member committee to investigate whether the display of the national flag behind chairs and sofas in government offices and statutory organizations aligns with existing legal regulations.
The order was issued on Tuesday by a High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice S.M. Iftekhar Uddin Mahmud following the preliminary hearing of a writ petition. The court has directed the committee, which must include a judicial officer, a public university professor, and a representative from the Cabinet Division, to submit its findings within 60 days.
The writ petition was filed last Thursday by lawyer Md. Sharif Sarkar, who argued that the use or display of the national flag in such a manner violates the National Anthem, Flag, and Emblem Order of 1972 and the associated Flag Rules. Advocate H.M. Sanjeed Siddiqui represented the petitioner in court, while Deputy Attorney General Khan Ziaur Rahman represented the state.
In its ruling, the High Court issued a show-cause notice, questioning why the use of the national flag in offices by officials who lack the legal authority to do so should not be declared illegal and unauthorized. The court further instructed the Cabinet Secretary to issue directives to ensure that the national flag is not displayed or used in a manner inconsistent with the law behind chairs or sofas in government offices and statutory bodies.
Counsel for the petitioner emphasized that the 1972 Flag Rules strictly define the usage of the national flag to preserve its dignity and honor. According to the regulations, the flag is permitted for display on specific government buildings, the residences of 15 categories of officials—including the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Ministers—and the vehicles of eight designated categories.
Advocate Siddiqui noted that the current legal framework does not provide any provision for the display or use of the national flag inside office rooms beyond the stipulated protocols.
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