The student wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) met education minister Vinod Tawde and demanded that the state make it incumbent on all schools, colleges and universities in the state to hoist the national flag on their premises on a daily basis.

The student wing has claimed that this is an integral part of the Flag Code of India and by doing so, it will instill a sense of pride and patriotism in the hearts and minds of the students.

Speaking about the demand, advocate Amol Matele, the state president of the Nationalist Student Congress, said that the Flag Code of India has explicitly mentioned the importance of hoisting the national flag at all government, administrative and academic buildings in the nation and the state.

Citing the rule he said, “The Flag Code Of India permits an individual, private organisation or educational institution to hoist/display the National Flag on all days and occasions regardless of they being ceremonial days or otherwise, provided that it is done in consistence with the dignity and honour of the National Flag. Hence, we met Mr Tawde and demanded that all educational institutions in the state hoist and display the flag at all times on their premises,” said Mr Matele.

He added that the daily sighting of the flag would create a sense of responsibility and reverence for the flag and thus the nation in the minds and hearts of the students, making them more responsible towards their motherland.

He further said that NSC had demanded that Mr Tawde issue an order making it mandatory on all educational institutions to install the National Flag on their premises failing which the students’ wing would hold demonstrations outside each and every institution by singing the National Anthem.

Sources close to Mr Tawde said that they would be taking an opinion of the authorities concerned and after assessing the feasibility of the same would take a decision.