Laws for everyday life
Dignity of our Flag
Most people in celebration of Victory Day on December 16 fly the Bangladesh Flag on buildings and vehicles. According to the law related to Bangladesh Flag, occasions on which the Bangladesh Flag can be flown on buildings throughout Bangladesh include Victory day along with Birthday of the Holy Prophet (Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi) and Independence Day on the 26th March.
It's a great joy, however in order to celebrate one must not forget to show true respect for the Bangladesh Flag. It is vital to know the maintenance of dignity of the Bangladesh Flag. The People's Republic of Bangladesh Flag Rules, 1972 provides the guideline and not following these rules is a breach of the law.
People's Republic of Bangladesh Flag Rules, 1972
(Revised up to July, 2005)
7. Maintenance of the dignity of the 'Flag':
I. Due honour and respect shall always be shown to the 'Flag'
II. The 'Flag' shall never be draped over the hold, top side or back of a vehicle, railway train or boat.
III. The place of honour shall be reserved for the 'Bangladesh Flag' when it is accompanied by flags or colours of other foreign countries.
IV. If there are only two flags or colours the 'Bangladesh Flag' shall be flown at the right of the building.
V. When the number of flags is more than two the 'Bangladesh Flag' shall be placed at the centre if the number of flags is odd; it shall be flown the first to the right of the centre if the number is even.
VI. When the 'Flag' is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staff, the 'Flag' shall be on the crossed Flag's own right (i.e., to the left of the person facing crossed Flags), and its staff shall be in front of the staff of the other flag.
VII. No other flag or colour shall be flown above the 'Bangladesh Flag'
VIII. In processions the 'Flag' shall be carried at the centre or at the right of the procession in the line of march.
IX. In escutcheons the 'Flag' shall be placed in the centre and to the highest point if the number of flags is odd, and at the right of the crest of the escutcheon (i.e., to the left of the persons facing it), if the number is even.
X. When the flag of any other country is flown together with the 'Bangladesh Flag' the later shall be hoisted first and lowered last.
XI. When the flags of two or more countries are displayed, they shall be flown on separate staffs. The flags shall be approximately of equal size.
XII. The flags when flown at half-mast shall first be hoisted to the peak and then lowered to the half-mast position. The 'Flag' shall again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
XIII. When the 'Flag' is displayed on a wall, otherwise than by being flown from a staff, it shall be displayed flat. In a public auditorium or meeting, the 'Flag', if displayed, shall be above and behind the speaker. When the 'Flag' is displayed over the middle of the street, it shall be displayed vertically.
XIV. The 'Flag' shall not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
XV. The 'Flag' shall not be dipped to any person or any inanimate object.
XVI. The 'Flag' shall never touch any object beneath it such as the floor, water or merchandise.
XVII. The 'Flag' shall never be carried flat or horizontally but always aloft and free.
XVIII. The 'Bangladesh Flag' shall not be used as drapery of any soft whatsoever provided that the use of the 'Flag' may be permitted for draping the bier of a high personage who is given burial with full military honours of full ceremonials.
XIX. The 'Flag' shall not be hoisted, displayed, used, stored in such a manner as will permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way.
XX. The 'Flag' shall not be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
XXI. The 'Flag' except with the permission in writing of and in accordance with the conditions, if any, imposed by the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh shall not be used in any trade-mark or design or the title of any patent or for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession or for any other purpose whatsoever.
XXII. The 'Flag' when it is in such a condition that it can no longer be used, shall be disposed of in a dignified manner, preferably by burying.
XXIII. The 'Flag' shall be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
XXIV. During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the 'Flag' or when the 'Flag' is passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present shall face the 'Flag' and stand to attention.
XXV. When the 'Flag' is hoisted formally, it should be done with the singing of the National Anthem. When the National Anthem is being played and the 'Flag' displayed, all present shall face the 'Flag'. Those in uniform shall salute. When the 'Flag' is not displayed, all present shall stand and face towards the music.
Those in uniform shall salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note.
XXVI. The 'Flag' shall not be flown at half-mast without the permission of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, provided that the Head of the Bangladesh Mission in a foreign country shall have discretion to fly the 'Flag' at half-mast on the days when flags are hoisted at half-mast by the Government of the country, to which he is accredited.
8. General Instructions :
I. The 'Flag' shall be flown only from sunrise to sunset except on cars, vessels and aeroplanes, provided that the 'Flag' may be flown at night on buildings on special occasions, such as the night session of the Legislature or the swearing-in-ceremony of the President or of Cabinet Ministers.
II. When the 'Flag' is displayed on a motor car the staff, shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the radiator-cap.
III. Nothing should be written or imprinted on the 'Flag' nor should any mark be made on it on ceremonial or any other occasion.
IV. The 'Flag' shall not be used except in accordance with the above rules and as modified from time to time.
V. The use of the 'Flag' by the Army, Navy and Air Force shall be governed special rules made for the purpose.
-Law desk
