Fact check: Has Indian govt directed ration shops to forcefully sell national flags?
New Delhi, Aug 10: A video of people alleging that they were being forced to buy national flags by ration shops in Haryana as a condition to avail the ration went viral on Wednesday.
The incident was reported in Himda village, Karnal district, Haryana, as a local ration distributor refused to give beneficiaries their due for this month until they buy national flags that costs Rs 20.
In the viral clip shared by BJP MP Varun Gandhi alleged that ration card holders were being forced to buy the national flag, and said it will be unfortunate if celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Independence becomes a burden on the poor. It is "shameful" to extract the price of 'Tiranga', which lives in the heart of every Indian, by snatching the poor's morsel of food, he said in a tweet in Hindi.
The Pilibhit MP posted a video purportedly showing some ration card holders complaining about being forced to pay Rs 20 to buy the flag. "It will be unfortunate if the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Independence becomes a burden on the poor. Ration card holders are being forced to buy Tiranga or denied a share of grains they are entitled to," he said.
आजादी की 75वीं वर्षगाँठ का उत्सव गरीबों पर ही बोझ बन जाए तो दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण होगा।
— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) August 10, 2022
राशनकार्ड धारकों को या तिरंगा खरीदने पर मजबूर किया जा रहा है या उसके बदले उनके हिस्से का राशन काटा जा रहा है।
हर भारतीय के हृदय में बसने वाले तिरंगे की कीमत गरीब का निवाला छीन कर वसूलना शर्मनाक है। pic.twitter.com/pYKZCfGaCV
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi too criticised it, saying "Nationalism can never be sold. It is shameful that while giving ration, poor are being asked to cough up Rs 20 for the tricolour," Gandhi alleged.
"Along with the tricolour, the BJP government is also attacking the self-respect of the poor of our country," the former Congress chief said.
Owner's
Admission
The
ration
shop
owner
reportedly
admitted
that
he
was
selling
flags
for
Rs
20
as
per
the
government's
order.
"I
have
made
it
clear
that
the
flag
will
cost
Rs
20
as
there
are
orders
from
the
government.
We
have
to
deposit
the
money
(charged
in
lieu
of
the
flags).
We
won't
give
rations
to
those
who
will
not
buy
a
flag
at
the
rate
of
Rs
20.
The
(department)
inspector
has
issued
directions
that
(purchase)
of
the
flag
is
mandatory
for
those
who
are
taking
ration.
We
have
to
follow
the
orders
of
the
government,"
The
Indian
Express
quoted
him
as
saying.
This triggered massive criticism from people on social media sites. Particularly, people targeted the central government, which has urged people to hoist or display the national flag from their homes during August 13-15 as part of its 'Har Ghar Tiranga' programme.
Has
The
Government
Directed
Ration
Shops
to
Sell
National
Flag?
The
Press
Information
Bureau,
which
counters
misinformation,
has
clarified
that
the
Centre
has
not
issued
such
instruction.
"An
errant
ration
shop
has
been
suspended
for
violating
orders
of
the
Govt
and
misrepresenting
facts," it
tweeted.
Claim:As per the instructions of Government of India,the poor are being forced to buy the flag forcibly to buy ration#PIBFactCheck:
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) August 10, 2022
▶️No such instruction has been given by GOI
▶️An errant ration shop has been suspended for violating orders of the Govt and misrepresenting facts pic.twitter.com/iNxxJmPREJ
In fact, the authorities in Haryana have suspended the licence of the ration depot holder for forcing people to buy national flags.
"We're giving Tiranga to people who are willing to buy it, at Rs 20 through PDS shops. We came to know a depot holder made ration beneficiaries forcefully purchase flags. Admin initiated stringent action against him & his license was suspended," ANI quoted Anish Yadav, Dy Commissioner, Karnal, in a tweet.
Fact Check
Claim
Government directed Ration Shops not to give ration if beneficiaries refuse to buy National Flags.
Conclusion
No such instruction has been issued by government.