Independence Day Flag Hoisting: Why Is Delhi's Flag Hoisting Ceremony Standoff Still Ongoing?

The General Administration Department (GAD) of the Delhi government is awaiting a decision on the directive issued by Delhi Minister Gopal Rai.

This directive involves making arrangements for minister Atishi to hoist the national flag on Independence Day.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Minister Rai had met with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently in Tihar Jail, and conveyed that Atishi should hoist the flag on August 15. However, the department has stated that this direction from the chief minister is "legally invalid and cannot be acted upon."

Legal Constraints and Communication Issues

Navin Kumar Chaudhary, additional chief secretary of GAD, explained that communication from Tihar Jail is not permissible under Delhi Prison rules. He referred to sections 585, 588, 620, and 627 of the Delhi Prison Rules (2018), which pertain to communications from prisoners outside the prison.

"It is clear that the above-mentioned communication does not qualify in terms of permissible communication which can be sent outside the prison. Only private correspondence with a designated set of people as defined in prison rules is permissible," Chaudhary's letter added.

Arrangements for Independence Day

Despite this issue, the department will continue to make all other arrangements for the celebrations at Chhatrasal Stadium. On Monday, Minister Rai reiterated that he met Kejriwal who said Atishi should hoist the flag on August 15 at the Chhatrasal stadium event in his place.

"All the necessary arrangements be made accordingly," Rai said in his letter to GAD. However, Chaudhary responded by stating that national events like Independence Day have supreme constitutional sanctity and any deviation from laid down provisions may amount to "statutory illegality."

Political Reactions

Former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia reacted to these developments by expressing disappointment over what he termed as "petty politics." He pointed out discrepancies in how communications from Tihar Jail are handled based on their origin.

"We keep reading in newspapers that when conman Sukesh writes a letter, Tihar officials submit it to LG and LG takes action on that but when elected CM of Delhi writes a letter, LG stops the Tihar officials from sending the letter to him," Sisodia remarked.

Kejriwal's Incarceration

Kejriwal has been in jail since March 21 following his arrest over alleged irregularities in Delhi excise policy. On August 6, Kejriwal wrote to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena stating that Minister Atishi would hoist the national flag at the Independence Day function on August 15.

The issue has been brought to higher authorities' notice, and a decision is awaited. Meanwhile, preparations for Independence Day celebrations at Chhatrasal Stadium continue as planned.