Karnataka HC Dismisses PIL Seeking Direction To Hoist National Flag At Anganwadi

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Hemant Chandangoudar while disposing off the petition filed by Ramesh Gajare said "We find that petitioner has not made out a case on legal obligation on part of an anganwadi to hoist the flag. Flag code of the year 2002, does not make it mandatory for educational institutions to display national flag."

The plea prayed for directing the Deputy Commissioner, Kalaburgi district and Deputy Director Women and Child Welfare Departement to issue directions to hoist the flag at the Anganwadi and direct them to initiate actions against respondent 3, Padmani for not hoisting the flag.

The bench said "Aanganwadis are short of funds. Their main objective is yet to be achieved. Moreover, if national flag is hoisted it attaches huge responsibility by abiding to Flag Code of India rules. In ideal situations citizens do not expect anganwadis to hoist national flag."

The order also referred to the Flag Code which lays down set of instructions when flag is to be hoisted. There is no legal obligation on angawandi to hoist flags