Syllabus
GS Paper 1 – Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Context
The article critically analyses government’s decision to amend the Flag Code to allow polyester flags, highlighting its impact on the khadi industry and broader handloom traditions.
Source
The Indian Express| Editorial dated 20th August 2024
The ‘livery of India’s freedom’ is under threat
The “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign, renewed by the Prime Minister in the lead-up to India’s Independence Day, calls for a collective reflection on the national flag’s significance. However, the campaign raises concerns about the government’s actions that contradict this call. The shift from traditional khadi fabric, deeply rooted in India’s freedom struggle, to machine-made polyester flags—often imported from China—has been criticized for undermining the khadi industry. This shift, coupled with policies that disadvantage handloom workers, highlights the government’s neglect of India’s rich textile heritage.
Significance of Khadi in India’s National Identity
- Historical Importance:
- Gandhian Philosophy: Khadi was central to Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of ‘Swadeshi’, which advocated for the rejection of foreign goods in favor of locally produced products. This was a direct challenge to British economic dominance and a call for economic independence.
- Mass Movement: Khadi became a tool for mass mobilization during the freedom struggle, with millions of Indians adopting it as a symbol of resistance. The fabric was seen as a unifying force, cutting across caste, class, and regional divides.
- Charkha and National Flag: The charkha (spinning wheel), often associated with khadi, was initially part of the Indian National Congress flag. This reinforced the deep connection between khadi and the struggle for independence.
- Cultural Symbolism:
- Identity and Pride: Khadi is more than just a fabric; it is a cultural emblem of India’s identity and heritage. It represents the country’s struggle for freedom and the spirit of self-reliance.
- Sustainable Practices: Khadi is also a symbol of sustainable and ethical production practices. It is eco-friendly, with minimal environmental impact, and supports local artisans and rural economies.
- Spiritual and Moral Values: For Gandhi, khadi was not just an economic activity but a moral one. Spinning khadi was a form of meditation and self-purification, embodying the virtues of simplicity, self-discipline, and non-violence.
Flag Code of India
The Flag Code of India is a set of guidelines and laws that govern the usage, display, and handling of the Indian national flag. It was first introduced in 2002 and has undergone amendments to adapt to changing circumstances. The code is designed to ensure the dignity, respect, and honour of the national flag.
- Tricolour Design: The Indian national flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron at the top, white in the middle, and dark green at the bottom, with each band being equal in width.
- Ashoka Chakra: In the center of the white band is a navy-blue Ashoka Chakra (wheel) with 24 spokes.
- Material Specifications
- Original Requirements: Historically, the Flag Code required that the national flag be made of hand-spun and hand-woven khadi, a fabric deeply connected to India’s freedom struggle.
Amendment to the Flag Code of India
- Introduction of Polyester Flags: In 2022, the Government amended the Flag Code to include machine-made polyester bunting, diluting the exclusive use of khadi for the national flag.
- Tax Exemptions: Polyester flags were exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) , placing them on the same tax footing as khadi flags, which undermined the financial viability of the khadi industry.
Impact on the Khadi Industry
- Economic Challenges: The decision to allow polyester flags has hurt the khadi industry, particularly affecting the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS), India’s sole BIS-accredited national flag manufacturing unit, which resorted to an indefinite strike in protest.
- Dependence on Imports: India has become a net importer of polyester yarn, primarily from China, compromising the self-sufficiency that khadi originally symbolized.
- Inconsistency with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’: The reliance on imported polyester contradicts the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) campaign, highlighting a disconnect between rhetoric and policy.
- Government Apathy: Government departments have reduced their procurement of khadi, often ignoring mandates to prioritize khadi products, further harming the industry.
- Global Market Failure: Despite growing global interest in sustainable and fair trade products, the government has failed to promote Indian khadi internationally, missing an opportunity to enhance its global footprint.
- Market Mismanagement: The market is flooded with khadi produced from semi-mechanized charkhas, which is sold under the same label as traditional hand-spun khadi, diminishing the value of genuine khadi and the wages of traditional spinners.
Broader Neglect of Handloom and Handicraft Traditions
- Systemic Neglect: The government’s policies, including demonetization, a punitive GST regime, and the unplanned COVID-19 lockdown, have systematically dismantled India’s handloom sector, pushing many workers out of their traditional professions.
- GST Burden: Handloom workers face a double GST burden on both final products and raw materials, further straining their economic viability. Despite calls for exemption, the government has remained unresponsive.
- Inadequate Support for Handloom Workers
- Exclusion from Vishwakarma Yojana: The recently launched Vishwakarma Yojana, aimed at supporting traditional artisans, fails to include handloom spinners and weavers, leaving a critical segment of the workforce without necessary support.
- Lack of Empowerment Initiatives: There has been no significant effort to empower khadi workers to form cooperatives outside of existing institutions, limiting their ability to market and sell their products independently.
Way Forward
- Restoration of Khadi for the National Flag : Reinstate the mandate that the national flag be made exclusively of hand-spun and hand-woven khadi fabric, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.
- Promote Khadi as a Symbol of National Pride: Launch awareness campaigns that emphasize the importance of khadi in India’s independence movement and its relevance today, ensuring that every Indian understands the value of using khadi-made flags.
- GST Exemption for Khadi and Handloom Products: Remove GST on khadi and other handloom products, including raw materials like yarns, dyes, and chemicals, to reduce the financial burden on artisans.
- Increase Government Procurement: Mandate that all government departments and institutions prioritize the procurement of khadi for uniforms, gifts, and other uses, to ensure steady demand for khadi products.
- Subsidize Production Costs: Provide subsidies for electricity and raw materials to khadi weavers, helping them to sustain their livelihoods amidst rising costs.
- Skill Development and Training: Offer training programs in modern design and marketing techniques, enabling khadi artisans to adapt to contemporary market demands while preserving traditional methods.
Conclusion
The path forward requires a reimagining of India’s commitment to its handloom traditions, starting with the restoration of khadi as the exclusive fabric for the national flag. This symbolic gesture would honour India’s history, support its workers, and reinforce the cultural and economic significance of khadi as the “livery of India’s freedom.”
Related PYQ
Highlight the importance of objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence since twenties of last century. [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2017]
Practice Question
Discuss the implications of the government’s decision to amend the Flag Code of India to include machine-made polyester fabric for the national flag, with a particular focus on its impact on the khadi industry and India’s handloom traditions. [150 words]