Kerala HC poser to govt on national days

Kochi, Dec 3 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today asked the government to explain how it proposed to celebrate national days at its various offices and also any guidelines issued in this regard.

Justice R Basanth sought the explanation while hearing a bail application filed by Suryamuthu from Munnar who worked as a watcher in the Assistant Executive Engineer (PWD) office.

The Judge asked, ''are there any guidelines issued? Are the heads of the office expected to celebrate the national days in any particular manner? '' ''Are the officers and staff expected to come to the office on those days? Does the government expect that national flag must be hoisted in the officers ceremoniously on that day?'' he added.

''Why have orders/circulars not been issued so far as the to how such a celebration is to take place in each office? Why is it that such orders are not being issued even now?'' he asked.

The court then directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit clarifying the position on or before 17 December 2007.

According to the petitioner, on August 15, 2007, he hoisted the national flag on a PVC pipe. The flag was in a 180 Deg instead of the normal 90 Deg position.

Hence, the police had registered a case against him for insulting the national flag. He then approached the high court for bail in the case.

UNI