Experts Urge Clearer Rules as National Flags Spark Political Controversy

Kathmandu, April 29 -- The excessive display of the national flag at political rallies, demonstrations, and different events has become a matter of worry for the authorities.

The problem has grown complicated because the guidelines for using the national flag do not clearly specify if it can be employed at events organized by political parties and other organizations advancing specific agendas.

In Part 3, Section 62 of the National Flag Procedures - 2012, which outlines the guidelines for using the country’s emblem, it explicitly mentions under the heading “Restrictions on the Use of the National Flag” that the flag must solely be utilized for raising ceremonies.

Although the general public is allowed to use the flag, the guidelines emphasize that its dignity should always be maintained.

Even with these regulations, the flag has been extensively and indiscriminately utilized in numerous protests, campaigns, and other events recently.

Often, the dignity and respect required by the protocol seem to have been overlooked during these occurrences.

Even though the regulations explicitly state that the national flag should not be utilized for anything aside from raising, numerous demonstrators have been observed wrapping the banner around themselves at protests. This prompts an inquiry into whether such improper use of the flag is becoming more accepted over time, particularly when employed as a means to represent the political position of specific groups.

The procedure doesn’t clearly specify if a political party can utilize the national flag at events aimed at promoting their specific agenda. Consequently, there’s been an observable increase in how often these entities employ the flag during organized demonstrations, which experts believe raises questions about respecting the flag's dignity.

The national flag represents the country as a whole, so individuals must use it responsibly when participating in political demonstrations," stated Nilamber Acharya, who previously served as the law minister. "Organizing political rallies beneath the banners of their specific parties would be more appropriate.

Lately, with the increase in improper use of the flag, even the home ministry has voiced its concerns.

Although the guidelines for the national flag do not specifically address its use at political gatherings, the home ministry plans to examine this issue closely in the near future due to its growing misuse," stated Ramchandra Tiwari, who serves as the spokesman for the home ministry.

It is a source of pride when citizens utilize the national flag to mark important occasions. However, according to Tiwari, this should not be exploited for political gains or used in ways that might undermine the flag’s respectability.

With the nation experiencing an increase in demonstrations, there is now a greater demand for explicit regulations and rigorous implementation to guarantee appropriate treatment of the flag, commentators noted.

They stated that without more rigorous supervision, the national flag might keep getting misused, which could erode its significance as an emblem of unity and pride for the Nepali population.

On Monday, protesters affiliated with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-Nepal), who gathered for an event at Shantibatika, Ratnapark, were encouraged to bring along the national flag.

Also joining the protest were other pro-monarchy forces such as Rajendra Lingden's Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Nabaraj Subedi's Joint People's Movement, and Keshar Bahadur Bista's Rastriya Shakti Nepal.

RPP-Nepal organized the demonstration to call for the swift release of RPP leaders, such as the party’s senior vice-chair Rabindra Mishra, along with several others who had been apprehended during the pro-monarch rally held at Tinkune on March 28. The party referred to these detainees as individuals imprisoned unjustly and urged the government to stop drafting laws that might limit backing for the monarchy and dissent against secularism.

The RPP leader Mishra and the contentious businessman Durga Prasai, labeled as the 'field commander' for the demonstration on March 28, were apprehended on allegations of instigating the demonstrators during the Tinkune rally. This gathering was organized under the banner of the Unified People's Movement, established with the aim of reinstating the Hindu monarchy which ceased to exist in 2008.

Rajaram Bartaula, the general secretary and spokesman for RPP-Nepal, mentioned that the party had promoted involvement from entities with similar ideologies, including various groups, organizations, and individuals.

Bartaula questioned, 'If citizens express their love for the nation through the national flag, how could this be considered an improper use of the flag?'

This implies that when an event involves members of rival political parties, displaying the national flag may aid in uniting them.

Experts think individuals should have the right to display the national flag with pride. Nonetheless, they emphasize that it shouldn’t be exploited for the selfish purposes of certain groups, according to Umesh Mainali, who previously served as the home ministry’s secretary.

"Employing the national flag at a political event to draw attendees who wouldn’t participate otherwise under a political banner is an inappropriate use of the country’s symbol," Mainali stated.

However, according to senior advocate Purna Man Shakya, since the national flag pertains to all individuals, its usage ought not to be overly constrained.

Shakya further explained, "If a political party employs the national flag to attract people for a demonstration, those with differing opinions from the party will likely opt out. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that the national flag was responsible for uniting them."

However, constitutional expert Chandrakanta Gyawali contends that displaying the national flag beyond regions acknowledged by the state and approved by the government would be against the constitution.

The national flag symbolizes the pride of the country, and there are established guidelines for its usage," Gyawali notes. "Hence, utilizing the national flag without governmental approval is against the law. Employing it during political party gatherings would not be deemed fitting.

On March 28, protesters advocating for the reinstatement of the Hindu monarchy and the dissolution of the federal republic carried national flags during their demonstration. The event turned violent as participants engaged in arson attacks, torching both personal and public vehicles, damaging media outlets and political office spaces, and plundering goods from grocery stores.

Two people lost their lives, and another 13 needed critical medical care. Those who participated in arson, vandalism, and looting were even spotted wearing the national flag.

The Unified People's Movement, headed by Subedi, an 87-year-old leader from the Panchayat era, received backing from several monarchist groups such as the RPP steered by Lingden and the RPP-Nepal led by Thapa.

The utilization of the national flag during political demonstrations does not solely involve pro-monarchy groups. After Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was arrested on October 18 due to involvement in the misappropriation of cooperative funds, his party organized protests in both Pokhara and Kathmandu. These rallies also featured the national flag as an emblem of opposition against the charges levied upon their leader.

Several other organizations frequently employ the national flag whenever they seek increased public involvement in their events and initiatives.