3ef8dThe National Flag

1/12/2015 parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/debates/vol4p7.htm

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CONSTITUENTASSEMBLYOFINDIAVOLUMEIV

Tuesday,the22ndJuly1947

TheConstituentAssemblyofIndiametintheConstitutionHall.NewDelhiatTenoftheClock,Mr.President(TheHonourableDr.RajendraPrasad)intheChair.

PRESENTATIONOFCREDENTIALSANDSIGNINGOFTHEREGISTER

ThefollowingMemberpresentedhisCredentialsandsignedtheRegister

Mr.JaiSukhLalHathi(ResiduaryStatesGroup)

Mr.RamNarayanSingh(Bihar:General):Sir,Iwishtodrawyourattentiontoaveryimportantconstitutionalissue.Ithink.andeverybodyknowns,thatwearemeetingasasovereignbodyhereandmakingtheconstitutionforafutureFreeIndia.But'intheenvelopesusedbytheAssemblyOfficewestillfindonthetopthewords'OnHisMajesty'sService'.IthinkthisisnotproperandIdrawtheattentionoftheHouseandyourselftothismatter.IhopethesewordswillbedroppedfromtheenvelopesinfutureinthecorrespondenceconductedbytheAssemblyOffice.

RESOLUTIONRENATIONALFLAG

Mr.President:Weshallproceedwiththeagenda.ThefirstitemontheagendaisaMotionbyPanditJawaharlalNehruabouttheFlag.

TheHonourablePanditJawaharlalNehru(UnitedProvinces:General):Mr.President,itismyproudprivilegetomovethefollowingResolution.

'ResolvedthattheNationalFlagofIndiashallbehorizontaltricolourofdeepSaffron(Kesari),whiteanddarkgreeninequalproportion.Inthecentreofthewhiteband,thereshallbeaWheelinnavybluetorepresenttheCharkha.ThedesignoftheWheelshallbethatoftheWheel.(Chakra)whichappearsantheabacuseoftheSarnath.LionCapitalofAsoka.

ThediameteroftheWheelshallapproximatetothewidthofthewhiteband,TheratioofthewidthtothelengthoftheFlagshallordinarilybe2:3."

ThisResolution,Sir,isinsimplelanguage,inaslightlytechnicallanguageandthereisnogloworwarmthinthewordsthatIhavereadYetIamsurethatmanyinthisHousewillfeelthatglowandwarmthwhichIfeelatthepresentmomentforbehindthisResolutionandtheFlagwhichIhavethehonourtopresenttothisHouseforadoptionlieshistory,theconcentratedhistoryofashortspaninanation'sexistence.'Nevertheless,sometimesinabriefperiodwepassthroughthetrackofcenturies.Itisnotsomuchthemereactoflivingthatcountsbutwhat,onedoesinthisbrieflifeathatisoursitisnotsomuchthemereexistenceofanationthatcountsbutwhatthatnationdoesduringthevariousperiodsofitsexistenceandIdoventuretoclaimthatinthepastquarterofacenturyorsoIndiahaslivedandactedinaconcentratedwayandtheemotionswhichhavefilledthepeopleofIndiarepresentnotmerelyabriefspellofyearsbutsomethinginfinitelymore.Theyhavegonedownintohistoryandtraditionandhaveaddedthemselvesontothatvasthistoryandtraditionwhichisourheritageinthiscountry.So,whenImovethisResolution,Ithinkofthisconcentratedhistorythroughwhichallofushavepassedduringthelastquarterofacentury.Memoriescrowduponme.Iremembertheupsanddownsofthegreatstruggleforfreedomofthisgreatnation.IrememberandmanyinthisHousewillrememberhowwelookedupto



thisFlagnotonlywithprideandenthusiasmbutwithatinglinginourveinsalsohowwhenweweresometimesdownandout,thenagainthesightofthisFlaggaveuscouragetogoon.Then,manywhoarenotpresentheretoday,manyofourcomradeswhohavepassed,heldontothisFlag,someamongstthemevenuntodeath.andhandeditoverastheysank,tootherstoholditaloft.So,inthissimpleformofwords,thereismuchmorethanwillbeclearonthesurface.Thereisthestruggleofthepeopleforfreedomwithallitsupsanddownsandtrialsanddisastersandthereis,finallytodayasImovethisResolution,acertaintriumphaboutitameasureoftriumphintheconclusionofthatstruggle.

Now,Irealisefully,asthisHousemustrealise,thatthistriumphofourshas

beenmarredinmanyways.Therehavebeen,especiallyinthepastfewmonthsmanyhappeningswhichcauseussorrow,whichhasgrippedourhearts.Wehaveseenpartsofthisdearmotherlandofourscutofffromtherest.Wehaveseenlargenumbersofpeoplesufferingtremendously,largenumberswanderingaboutlikewaifsandstrays,withoutahome.WehaveseenmanyotherthingswhichIneednotrepeattothisHouse,butwhichwecannotforget.Allthissorrowhasdoggedourfootsteps.Evenwhenwehaveachievedvictoryandtriumph,itstilldogsusandwehavetremendousproblemstofaceinthepresentandinthefuture.NeverthelessitistrueIthinkholdittobetruethatthismomentdoesrepresentatriumphandavictoriousconclusionofallourstruggles,forthemoment.(Hear,hear).

Therehasbeenaverygreatdealofbewailingandmoaningaboutvariousthingsthathavehappened.Iamsad,allofusaresadatheartbecauseofthosethings.Butletusdistinguishthatfromtheotherfactoftriumph.becausethereistriumphinvictory,inwhathashappened.Itisnosmallthingthatthatgreatandmightyempirewhichhasrepresentedimperialistdominationinthiscountryhasdecidedtoenditsdayshere.Thatwastheobjectiveweaimedat.

Wehaveattainedthatobjectiveorshallattainitverysoon.Ofthatthereisnodoubt.Wehavenotattainedtheobjectiveexactlyintheforminwhichwewantedit.Thetroublesandotherthingsthatcompaniesourachievementarenottoourliking.ButwemustrememberthatitIsveryseldomthatpeoplerealisethedreamsthattheyhavedreamt.Itveryseldomthattheaimsandobjectiveswithwhichwestartareachievedintheirentiretyinlifeinanindividual'slifeorinanation'slife.

Wehavemanyexamplesbeforeus.Weneednotgointothedistantpast.Wehaveexamplesinthepresentorintherecentpast.Someyearsback,agreatwarwaswaged,aworldwarbringingterriblemiserytomankind.Thatwarwasmeantforfreedomanddemocracyandtherest.Thatwarendedinthetriumphofthosewhosaidtheystoodforfreedomanddemocracy.Yet,hardlyhadthatwarendedwhentherewererumoursoffreshwarsandfreshconflicts.

Threedaysago,thisHouseandthiscountryandtheworldwasshockedbythebrutalmurderinaneighbouringcountryoftheleadersofthenation.TodayonereadsinthepapersofanattackbyanimperialistpoweronafriendlycountrySouthEastAsia.Freedomisstillfaroffinthisworldandnations,allnationsingreaterorlesserdegreearestrugglingfortheirfreedom.Ifweinthepresenthavenotexactlyachievedwhatweaimedat,itisnotsurprising.Thereisnothinginittobeashamedof.ForIdothinkourachievementisnosmallachievement.itisaveryconsiderableachievement,agreatachievement.Letnomanrunit,downbecauseotherthingshavehappenedwhicharenottoourliking.Letuskeepthesetwothingsapart.Lookatanycountryinthewideworld.Whereisthecountrytoday,includingthegreatandbigpowers,whichisnotfullofterribleproblems,whichisnotinsomeway,Politicallyandeconomically,strivingforfreedomwhichsomehoworothereludesitsgrasp?TheproblemsofIndiainthewidercontextdonotappeartobeterrible.Theproblemsarerotanythingnewtous.Wehavefacedmanydisagreeablethingsinthepast.Wehavenotheldback.Weshallfacealltheotherdisagreeablethingsthatfaceusinthepresentormaydosointhefutureandweshallnotflinchandweshallnotfalterandweshallnotquit.(Loudapplause).



So,inspiteofeverythingthatsurroundsus,itisinnospirit'ofdownheartednessthatIstandupinpraiseofthisNationforwhatithasachieved.(Renewedcheers).Itisrightandproperthatatthismomentweshouldadoptthesymbolsofthisachievement,thesymboloffreedom.Nowwhatisthisfreedominitsentiretyandforallhumanity.Whatisfreedomandwhatisthestruggleforfreedomandwhendoesitend.Assoonasyoutakeonestepforwardandachieve

somethingfurtherstepscomeupbeforeyou.Therewillbenofullfreedominthiscountryorintheworldaslongasasinglehumanbeingisunfree.Therewillbenocompletefreedomaslongasthereisstarvation,hunger,lackofclothinglackofnecessariesoflifeandlackofopportunityofgrowthforeverysinglehumanbeing,man,womanandchildinthecountry.Weaimatthat.Wemaynotaccomplishthatbecauseitisaterrifictask.Butweshalldoourutmosttoaccomplishthattaskandhopethatoursuccessors.whentheycome,haveaneasierpathtopursue.Butthereisnoendingtothatroadtofreedom.Aswegoahead,justaswesometimesinourvanityaimatperfection,perfectionnevercomes.Butifwetryhardenoughwedoapproachthegoalstepbystep.Whenweincreasethehappinessofthepeople,weincreasetheirstatureinmanywaysandweproceedtoourgoal.Idonotknowifthereisanendtothisornot,butweproceedtowardssomekindofcosummationwhichineffectneverends,

SoIpresentthisFlagtoyou.ThisResolutiondefinestheFlagwhichItrustyouwilladopt.InasensethisFlagwasadopted,notbyaformalresolution,butbypopularacclaimandusage,adoptedmuchmorebythesacrificethatsurroundeditinthepastfewdecades.Weareinasenseonlyratifyingthatpopularadoption.ItisaFlagwhichhasbeenvariouslydescribed.Somepeople,havingmisunderstooditssignificance,havethoughtofitincommunaltermsandbelievethatsomepartofitrepresentsthiscommunityorthat.ButImaysaythatwhenthisFlagwasdevisedtherewasnocommunalsignificanceattachedtoit.WethoughtofadesignforaFlagwhichwasbeautiful,becausethesymbolofanationmustbebeautifultolookat.WethoughtofaFlagwhichwouldinitscombinationandinitsseparatepartswouldsomehowrepresentthespiritofthenation,thetraditionofthenation,thatmixedspiritandtraditionwhichhasgrownupthroughthousandsofyearsinIndia.So,wedevisedthisFlag.PerhapsIampartialbutIdothinkthatitisaverybeautifulFlagtoLookatpurelyfromthepointofviewofartistry,andithascometosymbolisemanyotherbeautifulthings,thingsofthespirit,thingsofthemind,thatgivevaluetotheindividual'slifeandtothenation'slife,foranationdoesnotlivemerelybymaterialthings,althoughtheyarehighlyimportant.Itisimportantthatweshouldhavethegoodthingsoftheworld,thematerialpossessionsoftheworld,thatourpeopleshouldhavethenecessariesoflife.Thatisoftheutmostimportance.Nevertheless,anation,andespeciallyanationlikeIndiawithanimmemorialpast,livesbyotherthingsalso,thethingsofthespirit.IfIndiahadnotbeenassociatedwiththeseidealsandthingsofthespiritduringthesethousandsofyears,whatwouldIndiahavebeen?Ithasgonethroughaverygreatdealofmiseryanddegradationinthepast,butsomehoweveninthedepthsofdegradation,theheadofIndiagasbeenheldhigh,thethoughtofIndiahasbeenhigh,andtheidealsofIndiahavebeenhigh.Sowehavegonethroughthesetremendousagesandwestanduptodayinproudthankfulnessforourpastandevenmoresoforthefuturethatistocomeforwhichwearegoingtoworkandforwhichoursuccessorsaregoingtowork.Itisourprivilege.ofthoseassembledhere,tomarkthetransitioninaparticularway,inawaythatwillberemembered.

IbeganbysayingthatitismyproudprivilegetobeorderedtomovethisResolution.Now,Sir,mayIsayafewwordsaboutthisparticularFlag?Itwillbeseenthatthereisaslightvariationfromtheonemanyofushaveusedduringthesepastyears.Thecoloursarethesame,adeepsaffron,awhiteandadarkgreen.InthewhitepreviouslytherewastheCharkhawhichsymbolisedthecommonmaninIndia,whichsymbolisedthemassesofthepeople,whichsymbolisedtheirindustryandwhichcametousfromthemessagewhichMahatmaGandhidelivered.(Cheers)Now,thisparticularCharkhasymbolhasbeenslightlyvaried

inthisFlag,nottakenawayatall.Whythenhasthisbeenvaried?Normallyspeaking,thesymbolonone



sideoftheFlagshouldbeexactlythesameasontheotherside.Otherwise,thereisadifficultywhichgoesagainsttherules.Now,theCharkha,asitappearedpreviouslyonthisFlag,hadthewheelononesideandthespindleontheotherIfyouseetheothersideoftheFlag,thespindlecomestheotherwayandthewheelcomesthiswayifitdoesnotdoso,itisnotproportionate,becausethewheelmustbetowardsthepole,nottowardstheendoftheFlag.'therewasthispracticaldifficulty.Therefore,afterconsiderablethought,wewereofcourseconvincedthatthisgreatsymbolwhichhadenthusedpeopleshouldcontinuebutthatitshouldcontinueinaslightlydifferentform,thatthewheelshouldbethere,nottherestoftheCharkha,thatisthespindleandthestringwhichcreatedthisconfusion,thattheessentialmittoftheCharkhashouldbethere,thatisthewheel.So,theoldtraditioncontinueinregardtotheCharkhaandthewheel.Butwhattypeofwheelshouldwehave?Ourmindswentbacktomanywheelsbutnotablyonefamouswheel,whichhadappearedinmanyplacesandwhichallofushaveseen,theoneatthetopofthecapitaoftheAsokacolumnandinmanyotherplaces.ThatwheelisasymbolofIndia'sancientculture,ItisasymbolofthemanythingsthatIndiahadstoodforthroughtheages.SowethoughtthatthisChakraemblemshouldbethere,andthatwheelappears.Formypart,IamexceedinglyhappythatinthissenseindirectlywehaveassociatedwiththisFlagofoursnotonlythisemblembutinasensethenameofAsoka,oneofthemostmagnificentnamesnotonlyinIndia'shistorybutinworldhistory.Itiswellthatatthismomentofstrife,conflictandintolerance,ourmindsshouldgobacktowardswhatIndiastoodforintheancientdaysand.whatithasstoodfor,Ihopeandbelieve,essentiallythroughouttheagesinspiteofmistakesanderrorsanddegradationsfromtimetotime.For,ifIndiahadnotstoodforsomethingverygreat,IdonotthinkthatIndiacouldhavesurvivedandcarriedonitsculturaltraditionsInamoreorlesscontinuousmannerthroughthesevastages.ItcarriedonItsculturaltradition,'notunchanging,notrigid,butalwayskeepingitsessence,alwaysadaptingitselftonewdevelopments,tonewinfluences.ThathasbeenthetraditionofIndia,alwaystoputoutfreshbloomsandflowers,alwaysreceptivetothegoodthingsthatitreceives,sometimesreceptivetobadthingsalso,butalwaystruetoherancientculture.Allmannerofnewinfluencesthroughthousandsofyearshaveinfluencedus,whileweinfluencedthemtremendouslyalso,foryouwillrememberthatIndiahasnotbeeninthepastatightlittlenarrow'country,disdainingothercountries.Indiathroughoutthelongagesofherhistoryhasbeenconnectedwithothercountries,notonlyconnectedwithothercountries,buthasbeenaninternationalcentre,sendingoutherpeopleabroadtofaroffcountriescarryinghermessageandreceivingthemessageofothercountriesinexchange,butIndiawasstrongenoughtoremainembeddedonthefoundationsonwhichshewasbuiltalthoughchangesmanychanges,havetakenplace.ThestrengthofIndiaithasbeensaid,consistsinthisstrongfoundation.Itconsistsalsoinitsamazingcapacitytoreceive,toadaptwhatitwantstoadapt,nottorejectbecausesomethingisoutsideitsscope,buttoacceptandreceiveeverything.Itisfollyforanynationorracetothinkthatitcanonlygivetoandnotreceivefromtherestoftheworld.Onceanationoraracebeginstothinklikethat,itbecomesrigid,itbecomesungrowingitgrowsbackwardsanddecays.Infact,ifIndia'shistorycanbetraced,India'speriodsofdecayarethosewhenitclosedherselfupintoashellandrefusedtoreceiveortolookattheoutsideworld.India'sgreatestperiodsarethosewhenshestretchedherhandstoothersinfaroffcountries,sentheremissaries,

ambassadors,hertradeagentsandmerchantstothesecountriesandreceivedambassadorsandemissariesfromabroad.

NowbecauseIhavementionedthenameofAsokaIshouldlikeyoutothinkthattheAsokanperiodinIndianhistorywasessentiallyaninternationalperiodofIndianhistory.Itwasnotanarrowlynationalperiod.ItwasaperiodwhenIndia'sambassadorswentabroadtofarcountriesandwentabroadnotinthewayofanEmpireandimperialismbutasambassadorsofpeaceandcultureandgoodwill.(Cheers.)

ThereforethisFlagthatIhavethehonourtopresenttoyouisnot.Ihopeandtrust,aFlagofEmpire,aFlagofImperialismaFlagofdominationoveranybody,butaFlagoffreedomnotonlyforourselvesbutasymbolof.freedomtoallpeoplewhomayseeit.(Cheers).AndwhereveritmaygoandIhopeitwillgofar,notonlywhereIndiansdwellasourambassadorsandministersbutacrossthefarseaswhere



itmaybecarriedbyIndianships,whereveritmaygoitwillbringamessage,Ihope,offreedomtothosepeople,amessageofcomradeship,amessagethatIndiawantstobefriendswitheverycountryoftheworldandIndiawantstohelpanypeoplewhoseekfreedom.(Hear,hear).ThatIhopewillbethemessageofthisFlageverywhereandIhopethatinthefreedomthatiscomingtous,wewillnotdowhatmanyotherpeopleorsomeotherpeoplehaveunfortunatelydone,thatis,inanewfoundstrengthsuddenlytoexpandandbecomeimperialisticindesign.Ifthathappenedthatwouldbeaterribleendingtoourstruggleforfreedom.(Hear,hear.)Butthereisthatdangerand,therefore,IventuretoremindthisHouseofitalthoughthisHouseneedsnoreminderthereisthisdangerinacountrysuddenlyunshackledinstretchingoutitsarmsandlegsandtryingtohitoutatotherpeople.Andifwedothatwebecomejustlikeothernationswhoseemtoliveinakindofsuccessionofconflictsandpreparationforconflict.Thatistheworldtodayunfortunately.

InsomedegreeIhavebeenresponsiblefortheforeignPolicyduringthepastfewmonthsandalwaysthequestionisaskedhereorelsewhere:"Whatisyourforeignpolicy?TowhatgroupdoyouadheretoInthiswarringworld?"RightatthebeginningIventuretosaythatweproposetobelongtonopowergroup.Weproposetofunctionasfaraswecanaspeacemakersandpeacebringersbecausetodaywearepotstrongenoughtobeabletohaveourway.Butatanyrateweproposetoavoidallentaglementswithpowerpoliticsin,theworld.Itisnotcompletelypossibletodothatinthiscomplicatedworldofours,butcertainlywearegoingtodoourutmosttothatend.

ItisstatedinthisResolutionthattheratioofthewidthtothelengthoftheFlagshallordinarilybe2:3.Nowyouwillnoticetheword"ordinarily".ThereisnoabsolutestandardabouttheratiobecausethesameFlagonaparticularoccasionmayhaveacertainratiothatmightbemoresuitableoronanyother.occasioninanotherplacetheratiomightdifferslightly.Sothereisnocompulsionaboutthisratio.Butgenerallyspeaking,theratioof2:3isaproperratioSometimestheratio2:1maybesuitableforaFlagflyingonabuilding.Whatevertheratiomaybe.thepointisnotsomuchtherelativelengthandbreadth,buttheessentialdesign.

So,Sir,nowIwouldpresenttoyounotonlytheResolutionbuttheFlagitself.

TherearetwooftheseNationalFlagsbeforeyou.OneisonsilktheoneIamholdingandtheotherontheothersideisofcottonKhadi.

IbegtomovethisResolution.(Cheers.)

Mr.President:IhavegotnoticeofthreeamendmentstothisResolution.

ManyHonourableMembers:NO,no.

MrH.VKamath(C.P.andBerar:General):Mr.President,Sir,myamendmentreadsasfollows:

"Thatthefollowingnewpara.beinsertedinthemotion:

ThatinsidetheChakrainthecentreofthewhiteband,theswastika,theancientIndiansymbolofShantam,Shivam,Sundaram,beinscribed'."

WhenIsentintheamendment,Ihadnotseenthe

designoftheFlag.Therewereatthattimetwoorthree,considerationsuppermostinmymind.IthoughtthatthisFlag,beingtheFlagofournewIndianRepublic,ofBharatavarsha,shouldadequatelysymboliseourancientculture,thecultureofourspirit,thespiritwhichhasanimatedoursagesandourseers,whichgavethemessageofShantam,Shivam,Sundaramtotheworld,themessageofpeace,thepeacenot



merelyofstillness,notmerelyapassivepeace,butadynamicpeacethatpassethallunderstanding,thepeaceofwhichthegreatValmikihassung(Samudraivagambiryedhairyechahimavaniva).Ithought,Sir,iftheSwastikabeinscribedinsidetheChakraitwouldalongwiththeDharmaChakraofAsokafittinglysymboliseourancientculture,thatistosay,theesotericandesotericaspectsofourculture.TheDharmaChakrasymbolisestheesotericandtheSwastikasymbolisestheesotericaspects.But,Sir,IhavenowseentheflagandIfindthatitissomewhathardtofittheSwastikaintothisChakra.ItwouldlookcumbersomebecauseofthedesignoftheChakra.TheChakrasymbolisestheDharmaChakraortheWheeloftheLaw,theWheelofSamsarawhichrevolvesontheseeternalveritiesofShantam,Shivam,Sundaram.TheseveritiessustaintheSamsaraandinthemwe.aspartofthatuniverseliveandmoveandhaveourbeing.PanditNehrureferredtoourroleaspeacemakersandpeacebringers.Thatiscertainlytrue.India'srolehasbeenthatfromyearssempiternal,fromthebeginningoftime.InthewordsofSwamiVivekananda,wehaveneverdippedourhandsintheneighbour'sblood,ourembattledcohortshavenevermarchedintootherlandsforconquest,andwehavealwaysbeentheharbingersofpeaceandthemakersofpeaceinthiswartorn,warwearyworld.Mr.President,Sir,afterhavingseenthedesignofthisFlag,IdoseethatitisdifficulttofittheSwastikain,muchasIwouldliketoseeitfittedin.,Itwouldmakeitratherclumsyandcumbersome.Inthesecircumstances,IdonotpressthisamendmentandbegleaveoftheHousetowithdrawit.

Mr.President:Mr.TajamulHusain.

Honourable,Members:HeIsnotpresent.

Mr.President:Dr.Deshmukh.

Dr.P.S.Deshmukh(C.P.andBerar:General):Mr.President,Sir,aftersuchanimpressiveandemotionalspeechbyPanditNehruonehesitatestosayoraddanthingthatmaybeInterpretedorconsideredtotakeawayfromitseffect.Wealwaysrespecthiswordsandonasomewhatsentimentalquestionlikethis,ourrespectapproachesadoration.Ihavesomeverystronggroundsonwhichmyamendmentwasbased.Itisnotinanywayorsensediscordantwiththespeechtowhichwehavejustlistened.MyideawasessentiallybasedontheretentionofthetricolourabsolutelyintactwiththecharkharetainedasitischarkhawhichIstheemblemofAhimsaandthecommontoilingmanassociatedsoinseparablywiththeacquisitionofourpoliticalfreedom,andthenameofMahatmaGandhi.ButinviewofthefactthattheHousewouldrathersticktotheFlagthathagbeenproposedIdonotwishtomovetheamendment,althoughIstillfeelthatmyideahasmuchinittorecommenditself.

Mr.President:Mr.ShibbanlalSaksenahadgivennoticeofanamendmenttotheaboveamendment.ofDr.Deshmukhbutsincethatamendmentitselfhasnotbenmoved,noquestionofthisamendmenttotheamendmentbeingmovedarises.NowweshalldiscusstheResolution.

SethGovindDas(C.P.andBerar:General):*[Mr.President,IhavecomeheretosupporttheresolutionmovedbyPanditJawaharlalNehru.IconsiderthisdayalandmarkinthehistoryofIndia.Today,IndependentIndiaisdisplayinghernationalflag.Everyonewho,hastakenpartinthestruggleforfreedomduringthelasttwentysevenyearsistodayremindedlikePanditjioftheeventsduringthatperiod.Wewereunarmedandhelplessandhadnoresourcesforachievingindependence.Butthewayinwhichthisbattleoffreedomhasbeenfoughtandvictoryachievedhasnoparallel,notonlyinthehistoryofIndiabut

alsointhehistoryoftheworld.Todayweareachievingthevictoryforwhichweweretryingforthelastsomanyyears.Wearealsoremindedofthosewhocameforwardsomanytimesto,pulldownthisflag,totrampleitandtosetfiretoit.ButwhenTruthandJusticewerewithus,itwasaltogetherimpossibletotrampleitandtofinishitinthatway.Aftertwentysevenyearswehavebeenabletoprovetotheworld



thatevenanunarmednationwithnoresourcesatitscommand,canachievefreedom,ifitfollowsthepathofJusticeandTruth.

Today.Iamremindedofthedaywhenin1922,PanditMotilalNehrucametoJubbulporeforthefirsttime.IamaresidentofJubbulpore.ThatwasthefirsttimewhenthisflagwasdisplayedinIndia.Atthattimeithadthreecoloursred,whiteandgreen.Itwasatricolournodoubt.Atthattime,thisflagwashoistedovertheTownHallofJubbulporeforthefirsttimeinIndia.WhoisnotremindedofPanditMotilalonseeingPanditJawaharlalNehru?AtthattimeaquestionwasraisedintheHouseofCommonsastohowthisflagwashoistedoverapublichallandthePrimeMinisterofGreatBritainassuredthehousethatnoeventofthesortwouldberepeatedinIndiainfuture.ButIampleasedtofindtodaythattheflagwhichwashoistedforthefirsttimetwentyfiveyearsagoinJubbulpore,myhometown,willnowbeunfurledovereverypublicbuildingthere.ItwillbeamatterofprideforeveryoneinIndia.

Thereisnotouchofcommunalisminthethreecoloursoftheflag.Panditjihasalreadytoldyouthisinthecourseofhisspeech.Itistruethatatatimewhenthecolourswerered,whiteandgreentherewasatraceofcommunalismintheflag.Butwhenwechangethesecolourstosaffron,whiteandgreen,wedeclareditinclearwordsthatthethreecolourshadnocommunalsignificance.Atthattime,wealsomadeitcleanastowhatthesecolourssignified.ThosewhohavebeenmaddenedbyCommunalismtoday,shouldnottakethisflagtobeacommunalflag.YouseethatithastheAsokachakrainthemiddle.PanditjitoldyouwhatagreatplaceAsokahasinourhistory.AfterthebattleofKalinga,AsokatriedtounitethewholeworldwithloveandheachievedsuchsuccessthatthehistoriansnotonlyofthiscountrybutalsoofthewholeworldadmitthattherehasbeennoEmperorlikeAsokaintheworld.Mr.H.G.WellswritesinhisHistoryoftheWorldthat'whiletherestoftheEmperorsledabloodylife,Asokaalonetriedtounitetheworldwithlove.

*[EnglishtranslationofHindustanispeechbegins.

Whenweseethecoloursofourflagweshouldkeepinmindotherthingsalso.IwanttotellthosewhosaythatthesaffroncolourrepresentsHindus,thatitiswrongtosayso.NodoubtatmetimeitwasthecolouroftheHindus.DuringtheregimeofthePeshwasitwasthecolouroftheHindus.Intheirfightsforfreedom,Rajputsusedsaffrondressandsaffronensign.ButIfwegomoreremoteintothepast,wewillhavetoacceptthatsaffronwasnotthecolourofthesetimes.YoumaybeknowingthatinthetimesofMahabharattherewasnoquestionofcolour.TheflagflyingoverthechariotofArjunhadthesymbolofHanuman.Karna'sflaghadthesymboloftheelephant.ThereforetodescribeanycolourastheancientcolouroftheHindusishistoricallywrong.Isaythatitisnaturalthattheflagunderwhichwefoughtthebattleoffreedomduringthelasttwentysevenyearsandhavenowachievedindependence,shouldbeournationalflag.Iampainedtoseethatatpresent,somepeoplemaddenedwithcommunalismarebringingaboutsuchevents,whichIamconfident,aftersometimewhensensewilldawnuponthem,willmakethemverymuchashamedofthemselves.OnlydaybeforeyesterdayameetingwasheldinDelhiregardingHindi.ThemotionthatHindishouldbethenationallanguageandDevanagariscriptthenationalscript,wastobemovedinthemeeting.Pandemonium

prevailedinthemeetingandnationalflagswereremovedfromcarsandthrownaway.Isaythattobemadwithcommunalismandtodosuchthingsandtoinsulttheflaginthiswayisaninsulttothewholenation.Humanbeingsliveinthiscountryandnotgodsandtheyhavethethreedispositionsof"Satvaguna,RajogunaandTamoguna"('goodness,passionanddullness').Ifsuchincidentsoccur,peace,righteousnessandhappinessofwhichthisflagisthesymbol,willdisappearfromthisland.ThereforeIwarnthesepeople,whoaremadwithcommunalismthattheyshouldnotdosuchthings.Asregardsthegreencolour.therewagatimewhenthiswasthecolouroftheflagofthewarofIndependence.Iwould



remindyouofthewarofIndependenceof1857.Atthattime,thecolourofourflagwasgreenandunderitwefoughtthatbattle.ItwasatthattimenotthecolourofMuslimsaloneorofHindusbutofallthosewhofoughtthewarofIndependence.ThereforenothingismorepainfulthantobeagainstanyparticularcolourandthattooatatimewhenthewholeofIndiaisbecomingindependentandthisflagwillbehoistedeverywhereinthecountry.Wehavestyledthisflagasaworldconquerorandhavespokenofitsconquestoftheworldwithlove.Wewanttoconquertheworldwithnonviolenceandlove.Thisisitssymbol.Whenwewillhavedonethat,wewillhavefulfilledourpledge.Isupportthisresolutionwithallmyheart.]*

ShriV.I.MuniswamiPillai(Madras:General):Mr.President,Sir,IappearbeforeyoutodaytosupporttheResolutionsoablymovedbyourgreatnationalleaderPanditJawaharlalNehruwhohadalion'sshareinthefreedomstruggleofthisgreatcountry.

Sir,hehasexplainedtousthesignificanceofthisFlagwhichistobeheldanddefendedbythemillionsoftheinhabitantsthatliveInthisgreatcountry.ItisnottobetheFlagoftherichorthewealthybutitistobetheFlagofthedepressed,oppressedandsubmergedclassesalloverourcountry.

Sir,Iparticularlywelcometheintroductionofthewheelinthecentre.MahatmaGandhigaveusthegreatmantrathatliesinthematteroftheCharkha.ThoseofuswhohavetakentoCharkhafeelproudtodayaftersomanycenturiesofpoliticalstruggleinthiscountry,thatithasbeenpossibletobringaFlagforthiscountrywhichwaslackingallthesecenturies.

IalsowelcometheintroductionoftheSarnathLionCapitalofAsoka.Asoka,comingashedidafterthegreatBuddhistorder,hasgivenusthegreatPanchaseelam,aboveall,sympathyforhumanity.

*[EnglishtranslationofHindustanispeechends.

TheHarijanclassesandallthosecommunitieswhoareInthelowestrungoftheladderofsociety,feelthattheconstitutionwhichisontheanvilofthissupremebodyisgoingofbringsolacetothemillionsofthesubmergedclasses.TheprincipleofBuddhawhoexhibitedPracticallyhisgreatsympathyforsufferinghumanbeings,Iammire,Sir.willbepracticallycarriedoutafteracceptingthisgreatFlag.

Withthesewords,IsupporttheResolution.

ChaudhriKhaliquzzaman(UnitedProvinces:Muslim):*[Mr.PresidentIsupporttheresolutionmovedbyPanditNehru(Cheers).Ithinkthatfromtodayeveryone,whoregardshimselfasacitizenofIndiabeheaMuslim,HinduorChristian,willasacitizenmakeallsacrificestoupholdandmaintainthehonouroftheflagwhichisacceptedandpassedastheflagofIndia(Cheers).Idonotwishtonarrateagainhistorywhichiswrong.Iwantthatallofusshouldforgetthepastandshouldoustfromourmindstheoldthings.Therefore,Ihopethatthemajoritytooshallforgetthepast.AllofusshouldmakeafreshhistoryofIndiafromtodayinwhicheveryone,whohasgotsincerity,dignityandinterestinthereconstructionofthecountryandthenation,mayjoinhands.Iknowthataflagtolookat,issimplyapieceofclothbutacountry'sflagsymbolisesitsidealsanditsaspirations,

bothmoralandspiritual.Ifeelhappythatnone,whocallshimselfacitizenofIndia,canhaveoccasiontodisagreewiththespeechofPanditNehruinsupportoftheflag.Therefor..Ithinkthatfromwhateverangle,wemayviewit,thesteptakentodaywillonlystrengthenthefoundationsofIndia.EveryMuslim,HinduandChristianwillfeelproudinhoistingthisflagthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofIndia,andheshallhonourit(Cheers).WiththesewordsIsupportthemotion.]*



SirS.Radhakrishnan(UnitedProvinces:General):Mr.President,SirIdonotwishtosayverymuchaftertheveryeloquentwayinwhichPanditJawaharlalNehrupresentedthisFlagandtheResolutiontoyou.TheFlaglinksupthepastandthepresent.Itisthelegacybequeathedtousbythearchitectsofourliberty.ThosewhofoughtunderthisFlagaremainlyresponsibleforthearrivalofthisgreatdayofIndependenceforIndia.PanditJawaharlalhaspointedouttoyouthatitisnotadayofjoyunmixedwithsorrow.TheCongressfoughtforunityandliberty.Theunityhasbeencompromisedlibertytoo.Ifeel,hasbeencompromised,unlessweareabletofacethetaskswhichnowconfrontuswithcourage,strengthandvision.Whatisessentialtodayistoequipourselveswithnewstrengthandwithnewcharacterifthesedifficultiesaretobeovercomeandifthecountryistoachievethegreatidealofunityandlibertywhichitfoughtfor.Timesarehard.Everywhereweareconsumedbyphantasies.Ourmindsarehauntedbymyths.Theworldisfullofmisunderstandings,suspicionsanddistrusts.Inthesedifficultdaysitdependsonusunderwhatbannerwefight.HerewearePuttingintheverycentrethewhite,thewhiteoftheSun'srays.Thewhitemeansthepathoflight.ThereisdarknessevenatnoonassomePeoplehaveurged,butitisnecessaryforustodissipatethesecloudsofdarknessandcontrolourconductbytheideallight,thelightoftruth,oftransparentsimplicitywhichisillustratedbythecolourofwhite.

Wecannotattainpurity,wecannotgainourgoaloftruth,unlesswewalkinthepathofvirtue.TheAsoka'swheelrepresentstousthewheeloftheLaw,thewheelDharma.TruthcanbegainedonlybythepursuitofthepathofDharma,bythepracticeofvirtue.Truth,Satya,DharmaVirtue,theseoughttobethecontrollingprinciplesofallthosewhoworkunderthisFlag.ItalsotellsusthattheDharmaissomethingwhichisperpetuallymoving.Ifthiscountryhassufferedintherecentpast,itisduetoourresistancetochange.Thereareeversomanychallenges


hurledatusandifwehavenotgotthecourageandthestrengthtomovealongwiththetimes,wewillbeleftbehind.Thereareeversomanyinstitutionswhichareworkedintooursocialfabriclikecasteanduntouchability.Unlessthesethingsarescrappedwecannotsaythatweeitherseektruthorpractisevirtue.Thiswheelwhichisarotatingthing,whichisaperpetuallyrevolvingthing,indicatestousthatthereisdeathinstagnation.Thereislifeinmovement.OurDharmaisSanatana,eternal,notinthesensethatitisafixeddepositbutinthesensethatitisperpetuallychanging.ItsuninterruptedcontinuityisitsSanatanacharacter.Soevenwithregardtooursocialconditionsitisessentialforustomoveforward.

Thered,theorange,theBhagwacolourrepresentsthespiritofrenunciationitissaid:

(Sarvetyagerajadharmesudrsta).

AllformsofrenunciationaretobeembodiedinRajaDharma.PhilosophersmustbeKings.Ourleadersmustbedisinterested.Theymustbededicatedspirits.'Theymustbepeoplewhoareimbuedwiththespiritofrenunciationwhichthatsaffron,colourhastransmittedtousfromthebeginningofourhistory.ThatstandsforthefactthattheWorldbelongsnottothewealthy,nottotheprosperousbuttothemeekandthehumble,thededicatedandthedetached.

ThatspiritofdetachmentthatspiritofrenunciationisrepresentedbytheorangeorthesaffroncolourandMahatmaGandhihasembodieditforusinhislifeandtheCongresshasworkedunderhisguidanceandwithhismessage.Ifwearenotimbuedwiththatspiritofrenunciationinthandifficultdays,wewillagaingounder.

Thegreenisthereourrelationtothesoil,ourrelationtotheplantlifehereonwhichallotherlife



depends.WemustbuildourParadisehereonthisgreenearth.Ifwearetosucceedinthisenterprise,wemustbeguided.bytruth(white),practisevirtue(wheel),adoptthemethodofselfcontrolandrenunciation(saffron).ThisFlagtellsus'Beeveralert,beeveronthemove,goforward,workforafree,flexiblecompassionate,decent,democratic,societyinwhichChristians,Sikhs,Moslems,Hindus,Buddhistswillallfindasafeshelter.'

Thankyou.(Loudcheers).

Dr.MohanSinhaMehta(UdaipurState):Mr.President,Sir,asIhadlistenedfrommyseattothegreatspeechwhichwasdeliveredbyourgreatleaderonagreatsubject,thefirstthoughtthatroseinmymindwasthatthereshouldbenomorespeechesonthatsubjectandthattheResolutionshouldbeadoptedunanimouslyfromeverysectionoftheHousebyacclamation.ButsinceitwasnottobeandsomespeechesweremadefortunatelynoamendmentsarebeingconsideredIventuredtocomeuphereandsayafewwordsinsupportoftheResolution.

Sir,IshouldliketosaythattheproposalwhichhasbeenputbeforeushasthesupportoftheIndianStatesalso.(Cheers).Oneofourrepresentatives,adistinguishedPrime,Minister,participatedinthedeliberationsoftheCommitteewhichhasbroughtthisproposalbeforeyouthroughPanditJawaharlalNehru.

Sir,thisisahistoricoccasionwhenfreeIndiaisgoingtoadoptaNationalFlagandIwishyoutounderstandthataverylargemajorityoftheIndianStatesinIndiaareandremainanintegralpartofIndia.(Cheers)

Sir,whenIwaslisteningtoPanditNehru'sspeechfrommyseat,IfelthesymbolisedtomeinmyvisionthesubjectoftheResolutionwhichhewasmoving,thesombrebackgroundofthepanelsofthisroomandPanditNehruinhisspotlesswhite.KnowingPanditNehruaswedo,IamsureIamnotexaggeratingwhenIsaythatheinhisfigurerepresentedthesignificanceofthesubjectmatterofthisResolution.

Sir,asheexplainedtousthecontentsoftheFlag,anditsdesign,especiallywhenhawascomingtotheChakraofAsoka'scolumn,IthoughthewouldalsorefertoitassymbolisingtheparticipationoftheIndianStatesintheIndianUnion.Forthefirsttime,Sir,afteralong,longtime,wewillhaveIndiaruledforIndiaandbyIndians.AgainPanditNehrusymbolisesthisalsothesymbolofselfrule.ButyouwillpardonmysayingthatinalargepartofIndiawhichyoucolouryellowonthemaptheidealofselfrulewasmaintainedbytheIndianStates.Pleasedonotanalysethispropositiononthebasisofpoliticalphilosophy,WhenwearediscussingtheFlagofIndiawearenotdiscussingabstractdoctrinesorpoliticalpractices,butprimarilythingswhicharesymbolic,thingsofsentiment.AmIfarwronginsayingthattheChakraofAsokarepresentstheIndianStates,becausesincethetimeofAsoka.theGreat,thewholecountryhasnotbeanunderIndianrule,ruledbyIndiansforIndians?Atanyrate,someofuswouldliketolookuponitwiththatsentiment.Iam,therefore,speakingherenotonlyonmyownbehalf,butalsoonbehalfofalargenumberofStatesIhavenotconsultedthem,butIamsuretheywillagreewithmewhenIsaythatthisFlagwhetheritisflyingoverabuildinginIndiaoronthehighseasinforeignwaters,thisFlagwouldrepresentthecombinedsentimentsoftheUnionofIndia,irrespectiveofwhatplacesofworshipwegoto,irrespectiveofthedifferenceinournamesandnomenclaturesweareallIndiansandthisisourFlag.

Sir,IwholeheartedlysupporttheResolution.

Mr.MohomedSheriff

(MysoreState):Mr.President,Sir,Iamsorrythatsomecontroversyhasbeencreatedaboutthe



ResolutionwhichwasgoadmirablymovedbyPanditJawaharlalNehruaboutthequestionoftheconsiderationoftheIndianFlag.SomegentlemensuggestedthatthereshouldbesomevariationinthecoloursrepresentedonthisFlag.Somewantedthatthe..........(Hon'bleMembers:"No,no".)Verywell.

Whileappreciatingthemotivewhichhasactuatedthesegentlemeninmakingthisrepresentation,yet,speakingformyself,IsaythatsofarasthisFlagisconcerned,itisthebestFlagandIdoendorsewhateverPanditJawaharlalNehruhassaidthismorningwhilesponsoringthisResolution.

Sir,thewhite,thesaffronandthegreencolours,signifyrenunciation,purityorsacrifice.GreatspiritualsignificanceisattachedtothemThesecoloursareveneratedbyallpersons,whethertheyareHindus,orMuslims,ChristiansorParsis.TheChakrawhichisthereinthecentreoftheFlagsymbolisesmotion,progressandadvancementandfromaestheticandotherconsiderationsalso,itsuitsthegenius,traditionandcultureofIndia.AswassaidbyChaudhuriKhaliquzzaman,itisaFlagwhichdeservestherespectofeverybodywholivesandhashisbeinginIndia.Withthesewords,Sir,IhaveverygreatpleasureinsupportingtheResolutionsponsoredbyPanditJawaharlalNehru.

Mr.SatyanarayanSinha(Bihar:General):Isuggest,Sir,thatthequestionbenowput.

HonourableMembers:Thequestionmaybeput.

Mr.President:Ihavegotthenamesofsometwentyfivespeakersherebecauseitisanoccasiononwhicheveryonewouldliketoexpresshimself.ButIthinkitisnotnecessarytocarryonthedebateanyfurther,becausewehaveheardfrommembersallthatcouldbesaid.Iwould,therefore,puttheclosuremotiontovote.

Mr.TajamulHusain(Bihar:Muslim):Sir,beforeclosureisapplied,Iwouldliketosubmitthatmorespeechesshouldbeallowed,becauseonanoccasionlikethiseverybodyshouldbegiventheopportunitytoexpresshisthoughts.

Mr.B.K.Sidhwa(C.P.andBerar:General):Sir,thisisamemorabledayandtheopportunitytoexpresshimselfshouldbegiventoeveryonewhowishestospeak.

RaiBahadurSyamanandanSahaya(Bihar:General):Sir,itisnoteverydaythatwewillbeadoptingaNationalFlagforthecountryandassuchitisbutproperthatifafewmorememberswanttospeaktodaytheyshouldlieallowedtodoso.

PanditGovindMalaviya(U.P.:General):Sir,letushavethewholeoftodayastheFlagday.

Mr.President:IamentirelyinthehandsoftheHouseifyoudonotwantmorespeeches,Ishallstophere,butifmemberswantmoreopportunitiestospeakIshallproceedintheorderinwhichIhavegotthenamesherewithme.

ShriBalkrishnaSharma(UnitedProvinces:General):Wewanttoheartheoldmother.

Mr.TajamulHusain:Wewouldliketohearthe"BulbuleHind."

Mr.President.Iwillcalluponherattheend.Iamsureitwillbethesweetestspeechandweshould,accordingtoouroldcustom,endwithsweets.(Cheers).

Mr.Saadullamaynowspeak.

SaiyidMohammadSaadulla(Assam:Muslim):Mr.President,Sir,myinterventioninthisdebatewasnot



atallnecessary,inviewoftheverylearnedandablespeachofPanditJawaharlalNehruandspeechesfromotherquarters.ThereasonformystandingbeforeyouisthatIwanttomakeperfectlyclearourposition.'DieMuslimmemberswhoareinthisHouseinspiteofthefactthatyouhaveextendedtothem"swagatam"ontheveryfirs'day,arelookeduponbysomememberswithdistrustandattemptsweremadetodebarusfromparticipatinginthisAugustAssemblyunlesswedisclaimcertainopinionswehold.IhaveseeninthepresscertainreferencesthattheMuslimmembersinthisConstituentAssemblyareunwanted,andsomepapershadgonetothelengthofsayingthattheMuslimmembersherewillbefifthcolumnistsandsaboteursoftheConstitution.IamverygladthattheResolutionofPanditNehrugivesusa

chanceofbelyingtheseaspersionsandremovingdistrustbyproclaimingfromthehousetopsourallegiancetotheUnionofIndiawherebyaccidentofresidenceandbirthwehappentobe.IttheinjunctionofIslam,emphasizedbyinstructionsfromLeagueHighCommandandleaders,thatwhereverwebewemustbegoodandloyaltothegovernmentwhichfunctionsthere.ActingontheprincipleIsalutetheFlagwhichhasbeenpresentedtotheHousebyPanditNehru.

InmyopiniontheFlagsymbolisestheevolutionofouraspirations,thefulfilmentofourstrugglesandtheultimateresultofalloursacrifices.IfImaybepermittedtodrawananalogyfromnature,thesaffronrepresentstheconditionoftheearth,thescorchedconditioncausedbythetorriedheatoftheIndianSun.Whenthecrystalclearwhiteraindropsandthewaterfromthesnowcappedmountainsandriverscomesdownwegetourandareasconvertedintosmilinggreenfieldsthecropsofwhichsustainusandconducetothegrowthofthepeople.SimilarlywehadinourpoliticalstruggleourscorchedearthdaysbutlateroncameourdaysofhopeandtodaythisFlagunfurledinthisHousehasbroughtustotheculminatingpoint,thedesiderataofourpaststruggles.Iamglad,Sir,thattheFlagremainsasitisandthattheamendmentsproposedwerenotmoved,forIndiaisrepresentedinthedifferentcoloursofthisFlag.Indiaisverywellnotedforherspiritualattainments.EverywhereitisadmittedthatIndiahasgotagreatspiritualmessagetosendouttothedifferentcountriesoftheworld.Thesaffron,asiswellknown,isthecolourofallthosepeoplewholivethespirituallifenotonlyamongHindusbutalsoamongMuslims.ThereforethesaffroncolourshouldremindusthatweshouldkeepourselvesonthathighplaneofrenunciationwhichhasbeentherealmofourSadhusandsaints,PirsandPandits.IthereforewelcometheinclusionofthiscolourintheFlag.

NextIcometothewhiteportion.WhitebothamongHindusandMuslimsistheemblemofpurity.IncongratulatetheHighCommandoftheIndianNationalCongressthatbyaboldstrokeofimaginationtheytookupthewhitecapasthesymboloftheircreed.ThepresenceofthewhiteportioninthisFlagshouldremindeveryonewhotakesitupthatwemustbepurenotonlyinwordbutalsoindeed.PurityshouldbethemottoofourlifeindividuallyaswellasinconnectionwiththeState.

Lastly,Sir,greenremindsmeofthefactthatitwastheemblemoftheupsurgeofIndia'sfreedom.GreenwastheemblemoftheFlagwhichwasraisedbyBahadurShahin1857.ButithasmorethanasentimentalorsymbolicalvaluetousMuslimsbecausegreenwasthecolouroftheFlagoftheMuslimsfromthetimeofthegreatProphetofArabiathirteencenturiesago.SomemayregretthattheCharkhawhichwastheemblemofthemasseshasbeenreplacedbytheDharmachakraofAsoka.ButIconsiderthatitwasreallyaheavenborninspirationoftheauthoritiesthatthisChakranowtakestheplaceoftheCharkha.AlthoughtheCharkhawastheemblemofourselfhelpandofourapproachtothecommonmassesandwasembodiedinouractivitiesbythemessageoftheMahatma,yettowardsthelaterstagetheidealofCharkhahadbeenpolluted,theinstructionorinspirationofMahatmaGandhihadbeendeviatedfromandthosewhoworetheCharkhawhichwasthesymbolofnonviolenceweremostviolentintheiractionswhichatonetimePanditNehruhadatgreatpersonalrisktoassuage.TheDharmachakraofAsokaremindsusoftheconditionofthepeopleatthetimeofthatgreatBuddhistEmperorofIndia.Herulednotforhispersonalaggrandisementbutforthecontentment,peaceandprosperityofthepeople



underhischarge.ThisemblemnowembodiedinourNationalFlagoughttoremindeveryadministratorandeverycitizenofthefederationofIndiathatweshouldforgetthepastandlooktothefutureandtrytocarryonthetraditionofthatgreatBuddhistEmperorAsoka,andweshouldberemindedatalltimesthatwe

areherenotonlyforourmaterialprosperitybutalsoforourspiritualadvancement.ThisChakrawasareligiousemblemandwecannotdissociateoursociallifefromourreligiousenvironments.

Sir,withthesefewwordsnotonlyonbehalfofmyselfbutalsoasDeputyLeaderoftheMuslimLeaguePartyandasanoldinhabitantofthefurthestandthesmallestprovinceoftheIndianUnion,Assam,IsalutethisFlagasasymbolofIndia'sfreedom.

Dr.H.C.Mookherjee(WestBengal:General):Mr.President,eversincetheIndianChristiancommunitybecameconsciousofthefactthatitwasfundamentallyanIndiancommunity,itsgreatleadersinthepasthavealwaysfullyidentifiedthemselveswiththeIndianNationalism.Ineedonlyremindthose,whodomethehonouroflisteningtome,ofthenameofthelateKakaBaptistofBombay,ofthelateKC.BannerjeeofBengal,ofthelateBishopChidambaramoftheUnitedProvincesandthelateDr.S.K.DuttaofPunjab.ThesenamesareonlyafewoutofthemanyIcouldquotetoprovethatwehaveallalongidentifiedourselvesfullywithIndianNationalism.Fromonepointofviewwehavebeenmisunderstood.IthasbeenheldthatbecauseweprofessChristianity,essentiallyanAsiaticreligion,andbecausewehavecertaincontactswithforeignmissions,thereforetheIndianChristiancommunityhaswhatisknownasChristianmentality.ItisnotsoandIstandheretosaythatitisanincorrectidea.ItisamisconceptionandIwantittobeclearlyunderstoodthattodayIonbehalfofmycommunity,ampledgingourallegianceoncemoretotheFlag.

TomeitseemssignificantthatsomeoftheworkersverycloselyassociatedwiththeCongressareIndianChristiansandIamsureMYfriendswillbeartestimonytothefactthatwetoohaveproducedleaderswhohavefullyidentifiedthemselveswithIndianNationalism.WeoweourallegiancetotheFlag,notonlybecauseweareIndianChristians,butbecausewehavebeenalwayswelltreatedinthepastbytheIndianNationalCongress.InfactitwouldbenoexaggerationtosuggestthatwehavebeenbettertreatedbytheIndianNationalCongressthanbythosewithwhomweareaffiliatedfromthestandpointofreligion.ItakethisopportunityofremindingtheHon'blePanditJawaharlalNehruofanoccasionwhichhappenedin1938whenIhadbeencalledtothePunjabbyDr.S.K.DuttatodoalittleserviceinconnectionwithafunctionattheFormanChristianCollege.AtthattimetheUniversityUnionatAllahabadhadarrangedforanaddressbymeonProhibitionandtheyinsistedthatIshouldspeakonthissubjectbecauseshortlybeforethatIhadvisitedSaleminMadrasthroughthekindofficesofRajaji.PanditJawaharlalNehruhadagreedtopresideoverthefunction,buthadforgottenthesubjectonwhichIwasexpectedtospeak.Athisrequest,firstofallIexplainedmyideasaboutthedutiesofminoritieswhenaskedbyhimtoputbeforetheaudienceourviewsregardingtheminorityquestion.HewastohaveleftforDelhiwithinhalfanhour,butheforgoteverythingaboutitandinconsequencemissedthetrain.AfterIhadspoken,PanditNehrutoldmethatwhatthecommunityhadstoodforwouldberememberedbytheIndianNationalCongresswhenitcametopower.WithinthreeorfourdaysIreceivedreportsofacertaincaseofinjusticesufferedbyIndianChristiansinsomevillages.Iwenttothevillagesandfoundoutthatthechargesweretrue'.IplacedbeforePanditNehrutheinformationwhichIgatheredandinsevendays'timethewholematterwassettled.Inthatwayourreligiouslibertieswererestored.

MayIinthisconnectionmentionanotheroccasionwhenwereceivedprompthelpfromtheCongress?WhenIwasinMadras,thePrincipalofthePhysicalEducationCollegeatSaidapet,Dr.Beck,toldmethathehadimmensedifficultiesingettinglandfortheMadrasCollegeofPhysicalEducation.AssoonasRajajicametopowerhegrantedusevenmorelandthanwehadwantedwithinashorttime.Thesearetheservices



thatwehavereceivedfromtheCongress.ThisnotonlybecauseweareinsympathywiththeobjectivesoftheCongressbutalsobecauseofgoodtreatmentwehaveidentifiedourselveswiththeCongress.OncemoreI,repeatthattheIndianChristiansoweallegiancetotheNationalFlag.

Mr.R.K.IISidhwa:Mr.President,Sir,theHonourableMoverofthismotionPanditNehru,saidthathefeltitaproudprivilegetomovethisMotionandpresentthisFlagtothisHouse.Sir,itisnotheproudprivilegeofonlyHon'blePanditNehrutoday,butitistheproudprivilegeofthewholeNationtoseethisFlagroundwhichthepeoplehavestruggledhardtowinfreedomhasbecomeanaccomplishedfact,thattheNationalFlaghereaftershallbeanofficiallyrecognisedFlag.WhileouryoungandoldmenandwomenandchildrenhoistedthisFlagonprivatehousesandpublicbuildings,theBritishbureaucracyinIndiapulleditdownandtrampleditundertheirfeet.Notwithstandingthat,ourcountrymentookup,thatveryFlagandhoisteditontheverybuildingfromwhichithadbeenpulleddown.Whiledoingso,theystrictlyfollowedthedoctrinegiventousbyMahatmaGandhitocarryonthestruggleinanonviolentway.MahatmaGandhienjoineduponustobenonviolentinword,thoughtanddeed.Imustadmit,Sir.whileithasnotbeenpossibletofollownonviolenceinwordandthought,Ialong,withmillionsofIndianshavestrictlyfollowedtheprincipleofnon,violencewhilefightingthebattleagainsttheBritishbureaucracyinIndia.Throughthatnonviolentstrugglewehavebeenabletoachieveourcherishedgoaltoday.OntheFlagproblem,apopularsloganwentround,"Up,upwiththeNationalFlagdown,downwiththeUnionJack'.WedonotmeandisrespecttoanyNation'sFlag,butweconsideredthehoistingoftheBritishFlaghere,asymbolofslavery.On15thAugustthisFlagwhichhasbeenpresentedtoustodaywillbehoistedonthisAugustAssembly,onthegreatmagnificentSecretariatBuildingsandImayalsosay,Sir,ontheViceregalLodge.(Cheers).AndtheUnionJackwillberespectfully,slowlyandsolemnlybroughtdown.Undoubtedly,onthatday,theNationalFlagwillbehoistedalloverIndiaanditwillbesalutedbyeveryone.

Sir,thefirstNationalFlag,IshouldsaytheSwarajFlag,washoistedin1911attheIndianNationalCongressSessionheldatCalcuttabythatgreatPresident,bythatgreatcongressman,bythatgreatIndianPatriotwhowasoneofthefoundersoftheIndianNationalCongressand,mayIsay,theprimemoverforthe,formationoftheCongress,thelateDadabhaiNaoroji.ThatflagIhaveseeninthepictureIhavegotitinmyhouse.ItisnotthesameFlagasweseeheretoday.InowrememberwhatthatgreatleadersaidontheoccasionofhoistingthatFlaginCalcuttain1911.

Mr.President:Ididnotwanttointerruptthespeaker.Butheismistakeninregardtotheyear.Itwas1906andnot1911.

Mr.R.K.Sidhwa:Thankyou,Sir.WhilehoistingtheFlaghesaid:'IpresentthisFlag,UnderthisFlagweshouldfightourbattles.'Sir,thisFlaghassincechangedindesignandnowithasbeenofficiallyrecognisedastheFlagoftheNation.Weshallallsaluteit.Itwillremainfirmlyandsolidlytilleternnitywhereveritisflown.

TheHonourableMr.JaipalSingh(Bihar:General):Mr.PresidentasIlistenedtoPanditJawaharlalNehru,Ithoughtnospeechwouldbenecessary,butsincevariousgroupsinthisHousehaveseverallytriedtoacknowledgetheiracceptanceofandallegiancetotheFlagwhichwearegoingtoadoptastheNationalFlagofthiscountry.IthoughtIwouldalsosayafewwordsonbehalfofthe30millionAdibasis,therealownersofthiscountry,theoriginalsonsofthesoil,themostancientaristocracyofIndia,whohavebeenfightingforfreedomforthelast'sixthousandyears.Onbehalfofthesemypeople,IhavegreatpleasureinacknowledgingthisFlagastheFlagofourcountryinfuture.Sir,mostofthemembersofthisHouseareinclined

tothinkthatflaghoistingistheprivilegeoftheAryancivilised.Sir,theAdibasishadbeenthefirsttohoistflagsandtofightfortheirflags.MemberswhocomefromthesocalledprovinceofBihar,will



supportmewhenIsaythat,yearafteryear,inthemelas,jatrasandfestivalsinChotaNagpur,whenevervarioustribeswiththeirflagsenterthearena,eachtribemustcomeintojatrabyadefiniteroutebyonlyonerouteandnoothertribemayenterthemelabythesameroute.Eachvillagehasitsownflagandthatflagcannotbe,copiedbyanyothertribe.Ifanyonedaredchallengethatflag,Sir,Icanassureyouthatthatparticulartribewouldsheditslastdropofbloodindefendingthehonourofthatflag.Hereafter,therewillbetwoFlags,oneFlagwhichhasbeenhereforthepastsixthousandyears,andtheotherwillbethisNationalFlagwhichisthesymbolofourfreedomasPanditJawaharlalNehruhasputit.ThisNationalFlagwillgiveanewmessagetotheAdibasisof'Indiathattheirstruggleforfreedomforthelastsixthousandyearsisatlastover,thattheywillnowbeasfreeasanyotherinthiscountry.Ihavegreatpleasure.Sir,inacceptingandacknowledgingonbehalfoftheAdibasisofIndiatheFlagthathasbeenpresentedtousbyPanditJawaharlalNehru.

Mr.FrankR.Anthony(C.P.andBerar:General):Mr.President,Sir,aslistenedtotheveryeloquentspeechofPanditJawaharlalNehruinintroducingandcommendingthisFlag,Ithoughtthatitwasasufficientsealtothesolemnityoftheoccasion.Butsincetheunderstandablefeelingsandenthusiasmsofmembershaveledtothemakingofseveralspeeches,IfeltthatIshouldsayafewwords.IhadtheprivilegeofservingintheCommitteewhichfinalisedtheformandshapeofthisFlag.ItwasmadecleartherethatthisFlagdidnotcontainanycommunalmotivesorsignificance.WhilewehaveretainedessentiallythebannerunderwhichthefightforIndia'sfreedomwasfoughtandbroughttoconsummation,theFlagashoistedtodayhascertainqualitiesandmotiveswhichshouldbecherishedbyeverynationthattreadsthepathofprogressandfreedom.IbelievesincerelythatthisisreallyabeautifulFlaginitsphysicalaspectandalsoinitsmotives.TodaythisFlagistheFlagoftheNation.Itisnot:theFlagofanyparticularcommunity,itistheFlagofallIndians.Ibelievethatwhilethisisasymbolofourpastitinspiresusforthefuture.ThisFlagfliestodayastheFlagoftheNation,itshouldbethedutyandprivilegeofeveryIndiannotonlytocherishandandliveunderitbutifnecessary,todieforit.

GianiGurmukhSinghMusafar(EastPunjab:Sikh):*[Mr.President,IfeelthatafterthespeechofsuchgreatmenasPanditJawaharlalNehruandSirRadhakrishnan,whohavesobrilliantlyinterpretedthecoloursoftheflagIneednotsaymuch.Ihavestooduponlywiththeideaofassociatingmyselfwiththosesentiments.Thesacrificesmadeforthisflagandinthecauseofthecountry'sfreedomhavebeenpatheticallynarratedbyPanditNehruinhisowninimitablestyle.UnderthisFlag,mycommunitymusteredaroundtheIndianNationalCongressandcontributeditsutmosttothosesacrifices,IthinknooneshallbehappierthantheSikhstoseethosesacrificesfloweringandbearingfruittoday.Butthereisonethingandthatisunavoidablethatflowersareneverwithoutthorns.,Atthishourofhappiness,Ifeelthatmanyofmybrethren.whowereonewithusatthetimeofmakingsacrificescouldnotnowbeherewithustoshareourhappiness.Itmayhappensometimesthatathornisusefulinheighteningthebeautyandcharmoftheflower.Iamonlytryingtogiveventtoemotionswhichfillmyheartatthethoughastohowmanysacrificeswehadtomaketoseethisflagupintheair.Wehavereachedthepositiontodaythatwecaninstallourflagwhereverwelike,NowitisequallyincumbentuponustomaintainthedignityofthisflutteringFlag.Perhapsattimeswemayhavetomakethesame

sacrificestokeepitaloftaswehavehadtoachieveit.Therefore,IpromiseonbehalfofmySikhcommunitythattheyshallcontinuetomakesacrificesforupholdingthehonouranddignityoftheflagwiththesameVigour,daringandfearlessness,astheyhaveshowninthecauseofthecountry'sfreedom.Withthesewords,IsupporttheResolutionmovedbyPanditji.]*

Mr.H.J.Khandekar(C.P.&Berar:General):[Mr.President,IsupporttheResolutiononthisflagasmovedbytheHonourablePanditJawaharlalNehru.YouknowwhatgreatSacrificeshavebeenmadebyustomaintainthehonourofthisFlaginthiscountryandhowmanysacrificedtheirlives,gottheirchildrentrampledwerekilledanddestroyed.TheBritishEmpireusedalltheirpowertodestroythisFlagbutwetheinhabitantsofthiscountryalwayscherishedandadoreditThisFlag,underwhichwefindFree



Indiaandwhichwewishtohoist,overFreeIndia,istheSameFlagwhicheventodaygiver,usstrengthtofreeourselves.

ThisFlag,hasthreecolours.OneissaffronwhichisrelatedtoourOwncommunity,IbelongtothedepressedclassesandIWishtoremindyouthatwhereShivajiwasinpowerandwhenachanceoffreeingthisCountryandestablishingaHinduRajaroseourcommunitysacrificedlacsof


personsunderthissaffronbanner.Forexample,theIronPillarofSidhanathMaharinKoragaon.remindsusofthatageeventoday.

HereistheFlag.Ithasthreecolours.Thefirstoneisrelatedtomycommunity.ThesecondcolourwhichiswhitedenotespeaceandtranquillityandindicatesunityamongstallthecommunitiesinthiscountryandforthisreasonthisFlagrepresentseveryreligionandeverylanguageinthecountry.AsthePresidentoftheAllIndiaDepressedClassesUnion,IwishtogivethisassurancebeforetheHousethatmycommunityshallalwaysfollowtheFlagwhichweareadoptingtoday.Withthesewords,IsupporttheResolutionontheFlagonbehalfofmyownselfandcommunityasawhole.IfthehonouroftheFlag,maintainedbyusevenuptothisdayisabesmirchedanytime,myCommunityalongwithotherinhabitantsofthecountrywillsacrificethemselvestosavethehonouroftheFlag.WiththesewordsIbegtosupporttheResolution.]*

ShriBalkrishnaSharma:+[Mr.President,Sir,whenmyleaderPonditJawaharlalNehruhasexpressedsuchloftysentimentstodayonthisoccasion,Imyselfthoughtnospeechshouldbedeliveredafterthat.Buttheconventionsprevailedandmembersofeverygrouphaveexpressedtheirideas,here.Onthesuggestionofmyelders,IalsosubmittedmynametothePresidentandwishtoexpressmyselfbrieflybeforeyoutoday.

Thisday,thedayofmovingthisresolutionbyPanditJawaharlalNehru,isadayofcongratulationsourcountryanditshistory.WhenIwaslisteningtothespeechofPanditNehru,IfeltaswehadfinishedonepartofourJourneyandwerebeginningthenext.Now,whenthefirstpartofourjourneycomestoaclose,wefeelobligedtolookback.Inthehistoryofthelasttwentyyears,agreatman,bornamongstus,hassomelodiouslyandartisticallyharmonizedourlifethatitwouldbeingratitudeonourpart,itwedonotbowtohim.Itisnotpossibletoenumerateinthisshorttime,whatMahatmaGandhihasgivenusandcontributedtowardsournationallifeandwhatisbeinggivenbyhimtousevennow.Butifyoutakealittletroubleandgobacktothecircumstancesprevailing27and28yearsago,youwillfindwhatgreatprogresshasBeenmade,inourcountrythroughtheeffortsoftheworld'sgreatestleader.TherewasatimewhenCongresswasmerelypassingresolutionsandassemblingforthreedaysduringChristmasanditconsideredthatitsdutyendedthere.WhenMahatmaGandhisaidthatwewouldnotgetindependencebypassingresolutions,andthatstrengthwasnecessarytoobtainrights,thenationlookedathimin

bewildermentandthoughtthehehadgonemad.Themessageofgainingstrengthforanationwithoutarmsappearedtobeamadideainthehistoryoftheworld.Theworldthoughtofonlyonewayasmeansofattainingnationalrightsandthatwasthewayofviolence.Shouldwenotremembertodaythatdevelopmentofmassconsciousnessinthecountry,whichwascarriedoutbyMahatmaGandhibynonviolentmethods?Itappealedtothepeopleandtheyorganised.IthinkthatitwasthegreatestgiftofMahatmaGandhithathechangedamereresolutionpassingCongressintoafightingbody.HissecondgreatgifttoourcountrywasthattheCongresswhichworkedonlyforthreedays(inayear)waschangedintoapermanentOrganisation.Histhirdgreatgiftisofanationallanguage.Weusedtoexpress



ourselvesinaforeignlanguage.MahatmaGandhibyofferingusHindiasaNationallanguage,_gaveusachancetofeelandawakenournationalsentiments.OneofthoseboonsisthatoftheFlagwhichhasbeenofferedbyhimtothiscountry.Thuscentralisingthecollectivestrengthofourcountryintheformofthisflag,heinspiredustoproceedandmarchonthewaytosacrifice.Today,onbehalfofallofus,Ioffermyhomageatthefeetofthisgreatman.

WhenPanditJawaharlalNehruwagaddressingus,Ilookedathimandfeltwhathadbeendonebythisgreatmantoourcountry.Howmuchidealismhaveweattainedthroughhimandhowmuchsenseofservice


+[EnglishtranslationofHindustanispeechbegins.

anddevotionhaveweimbibedthroughhim?Onbehalfofyouall,IoffermyrespectstoPanditJawaharlalNehruandMahatmaji.WhenIwaslisteningtohisspeech,Ifeltthatonepartofthejourneyiscomingtoanend.Anideacreptinmymindthatnowwehavetoseewhatnextwehavetodo.PanditJawaharlalNehruinterpretstheChakrainthecentreofourNationalFlagasanindicationofmovement.ItremindsmeoftheoldmessagewhichIhadreadinBrihadaranyakaUpanished"RemainingasleepisKaliyug,openingofeyesisDwapargettingupisTretaandmovingaboutisSatyayug".TodayPanditJawaharlalaftergivingusthemessageofmotionintheformofthischakra,isonceagaintakingustoSatyayug.Upanishadwriterssay:"Charaiveti,Charaivet"BhagwanBuddhahimselfhassaid"CharaivetiKhihaveCharaiveti"."Goon,endeavouringcontinually,goonagainandagain,thereisnoplaceforrest."Onbehalfofthecongressmentoday,mayIgivethisassurancetoourleaderPanditJawaharlalNehru"DearCaptainUnderyourleadershipweshalltrytofollowyouwithallourstrength."

TodayonthisoccasionIsalutetheNationalFlagandpraytoGodthataneweramaydawnuponthiscountry,anewearthandanewskymaybeformedinthiscountrywhichmaybeabletogiveamessageofeternalpeacetotheentirehumanworldfromunderthisFlag].*

PanditGovindMalaviya:+[Mr.President,Sir,whenIcameheretodayIhadnottheslightestideathatwewouldspeakanythingaboutthisFlag.ButwhenPanditJawaharlalNehru,thebelovedleaderofthecountry,madehisspeech,awaveofjoyenthusiasmaroseinourheartsandwefeltadesiretopayourtributetotheNationalFlagonthissolemnandauspiciousoccasion.Thus,Sir,Ialsosoughtyourpermissiontospeakafewwords.

Theimportanceofanationalflagdoesnotdependonitscolour,itsbandsoritsotherparts.Theflagasawhole,isimportantandotherthingsthecoloursetc.,thatitcontainsareimmaterial.TheflagmaybeofapieceofwhiteclothofanyotherinsignificantmaterialbutwhenitisacceptedasaNationalFlag,itbecomestheemblemofnationalselfrespect.Itbecomesanexpressionofthesenseoffreedomanation.Itbecomesitsdearestobject.Forthelast27yearsthistricolourflaghasbeenuppermostinourthoughtsandimagination.WehavemadenumeroussacrificesforthefreedomofIndiawiththis

flaginourhands.AsIhavealreadystated,whenaflagoranyotherthingisacceptedbyanationasitsensign,itbecomesthedearestobjectofthenationandassumesthemostimportantandthehighestplaceinthelifeandhistoryofthatnation.This,ourFlag,hasbeenthesymbolofthehopesanddreamsoffourhundredmillionsoulsforthelast27years.Forthehonourofthisflagmillionsholdingitdearerthantheirlives,sufferedtremendously.Numberlesspeoplewenttojailsleavingtheirchildrenstarving.Peoplehadtheirheadsandbonesbrokenbythelathisofpoliceandthemilitarytokeepitaloft.Unarmed



youngmenandstudentsofthecountryopenedtheirchestsbeforethebulletsoftheEnglishmilitaryorpolicetoprotectthehonourofhisflag.Forgenerationsithasbeenourflagandthegreatfeeling,emotionandenthusiasmwehaveinourheartsforthisflagisbeyondhumandescription.Weareeagertopayourtributetothisflag.

Sir,thisflagforwhichgreatsacrificeshavebeenmadeandaboutwhichtherearemany'gathas'ofpatriotism,heroismandsacrifices,hasbecomethecentreofourthoughts.Therearevariousopinionstodayinourcountryaboutthisflag.Manymembershavegivennoticesofvariousresolutionsaboutthisflag.Iknoweverymoverhashisownindividualandimportantreasonsformovinghisresolution.IftheirSuggestionsarenotacceptedhere,itdoesnotmeanthatwedonotappreciatethethoughtsofanyparticularindividualorsection.Wedonotcertaintheideathatbecausesomedifferencesofopinionexistregardingthisflag,any


+[EnglishtranslationofHindustanispeechbegins.

bodyforfeitshisclaimtoit.Onthecontrary,weholdthathehassimilarclaimstoitaswehave.Iwouldliketoaddressafewwordstothosewhohaveopposedtheadoptionofthisflag,orhavemovedamendmentsforeffectingsomechangeinit,IwouldliketoaddressafewwordstotheHindumemberswhohaveapprovedoftheflag.Theremaybesomegroundfortheircomplaintbutitshouldnotbeforgottenthatthisflaghasbeentheemblemofourhighesthopesandnoblestemotionsfor27years.Ithasbeentheadvocate,after27years'struggleandsacrifices.presentingbeforetheHousesomeotherflagforadoption?ThestruggleforindependencestartedbytheCongresswasnotonbehalfofanyparticularcommunityorsection.Underthisflag,theCongressandthekhilafat,theHindusandtheMuslimstogetherinfusedthefireofenthusiasminthepeopleofthiscountryandtheSikhcommunityhasmadecountlesssacrifices.EverycommunityinIndiahassheditsbloodandhassacrificeditsall.Thisflagdoesnotbelongtoanyparticularcommunity.Itbelongstousallasawhole.Thecharacteristicfeatureoftheflagisthis,thatthoughitbelongstothewholeofIndia,everyindividual,whetherHindu,MuslimorChristiancanclaimitashisown,behappyoveritandhaverespectforit.

ThegreenportionintheflagmaybetakentorepresentourMuslimfriendsthewhiteonetheChristiansandothercommunitiesandthesaffrontheSikhs.Everycommunityisrepresentedintheflag.Butitdoesnotmeanthatthesecoloursmerelyrepresentthesecommunitiesandtheyhavenoothersignificance.Theremaybeotherinterpretationsalsoofthesecolours.TheyrepresenttheHindusaswell.AsIhavesaidthecharacteristicfeatureoftheflagprovidesamplescopeforeveryonetothinkitashisown.IntheVedas"Rta"hasnotbeendefinedbutItisallembracingandhasbeenextolledbypoetsandbards.Butnoonecanidentifyitwithanyparticularobject.

Similarlythegreatpoetshaveexpressedmanygoodideasinbeautifulwordsaboutthevariousvirtuesofmankind,e.g.,truth,beauty,duty,benevolence,kindnessandfilialdevotion,Allwriteonthesamesubjectbutintheirownway.Onthesamevirtue,onewritessomethingandanother

someotherthing.Theyexpressdifferentideasanddifferentemotionsindifferentways.Similarlyinthecaseofthisflag,everyonecansingachorusinpraiseoftheflagaccordingtohisownsentiments.Everycommunitycanthinkofthisflagasitsown.SomepeoplehavecomplainedinthepressthatthereshouldbepredominanceofHinducoloursintheflagandthatthepresentflagShouldbechanged.Theyaskifalongwithothercommunities,havetheHindusnotshedtheirbloodandsacrificedtheirkinforthisflag?HowcanweforgetthecallofthoseHindumartyrsthroughwhosesufferingsandsacrifices,these



disgruntled(Hindus)havehadthechancetoseethedawnofindependence?WillItnotbesheeringratitudetothemonourpart?Withduerespect,IwouldliketotelleventhemostorthodoxHindusthatthisflagamplyrepresentstheHindusentiments.ThisflagisthetrueexpressionofthesentimentsoftheHindusandHinduism.TheVedassaythatthecolourofaflagshouldbered.ThereforeaccordingtotheVedastheflagoftheHindusshouldbered.Besidesthis,letusinterpretitinadifferentway.Theredcolouratthetoprepresentsfireandthesun.Thewhiterepresentsthemoon.NowaccordingtotheHindumythology,thefirstthingthattheCreator(Brahma)didwastocreatethesunandthemoon.TheHindus,theAryanshavesincetheirverybeginningbeenworshipingtheSun,FireandtheMoon,ThesunandtheMoonareworshipfuldeities.Thisflagrepresentsthesevarygodsthefirethesunandthemoon.Thegreencolouratthebottom,asIhavesaid,shouldbetakenbyourMuslimfriendstorepresentthem.Butatthesametime,thiscolourinawayrepresentstheHindusaswell.YouknowofallthenineplanetsBudhaissupposedtobethemostimportant.ThisgreencolourrepresentstheBudha.ThisveryBudhaaccordingtotheHindumythology,Isthegodofwealth.ThegreencolourofBudhaistheemblemofprosperityandhappinessofsociety.Thatcolourisgivenintheflag.WhatbetterflagcantheHindusadoptforthemselves,thanthepresentonewhichrepresentstheFire,thegun,theMoonandBudha?Apartfromthis,thereisa'Chakra'wheelinthecentreoftheflag.Thisisverysignificant.The,Hindusattachgreatimportanceto'avatars'.'Whenthereistoomuchofvice,sufferinganddisturbanceontheearth,accordingtotheHindumythology,someDivineBeingcomesonthestagetoestablishorderandguidetheworldtothepathofvirtue.ThisDivineBeingisknownasourAvatar.LordKrishnawastheincarnationofGod.SoalsowasLordBuddha."SudarshanChakra"wasthedivineweaponofLordKrishna,EveryHinduknowsof'SudarshanChakra.'That"chakra"orwheelembodiedintheflag.HindusconsiderLordBuddhaasanAvatarandtheChakraontheflagrepresentsLordBuddhaaswell.And,iftheHindubeliefsarecorrectthefinalincarnationordivinebeingasalreadyappearedontheearthtoridhumanityofthepresentterribleturmoilandvices,andtoreestablishpeace,justiceandorderintheworld.ThatDivineBeingisamongstus.ItisMahatmaGandhi.Wemaynotacknowledgehimtoday,assuch,butaftersometime,theHinduswillconsiderhimasthelatestAvatar.Hisdearcharkhaisembodiedontheflag.SoIcansaythateveryonehasgotapleasingfeatureinthelagandparticularlytheHindus.AsIhaveexplained,everypartoftheflagisconsistentwiththereligioussentimentoftheHindus.Therefore.farfromopposingit,Hindusshouldadoreitandshouldbepreparedtosacrificetheiralltoprotectitshonour.Iamfullysatisfiedwiththeflag,butas,somepeoplewantedsomeadditionandalterationinitIthoughtitadvisabletosatisfythemwithoutmakinganychangeintheflagandforthisIhavemadeanattemptIwouldliketoassurethemthatdueconsiderationwasgiven.totheirproposalsandfeelingsbutfinallyitwasdecidedthattheflagunderwhichthewholecountry,includingthosewhoareopposingittodayfoughtforfreedom,shouldbeadoptedasthe

nationalflag.Afterthechangethathasbeenmadeintheflag,noHindushouldhaveanygroundforanydissatisfaction.

Sir,itisourcountrythathasalwaysguidedtheworld.IthasbroughttheWorldfromdarknesstolight.Asinthepast,thiscountryhasfortunatelyfortheworldproducedthegreatestmanofthetime,whoamidstallthecrowdingmiseriesofmankindandundertheshadow,ofthedarkcloudsofthethirdworldwar,precededbytwogreatwarsthatdestroyedtheworld,isstillstandingsolidlikearockandabeaconforthe,world.Heisproclaimingthatmadnessshouldbegivenup.Iftheworldfollowshim,therewouldbePeaceandProsperity.ThisflagbearsthedearemblemofMahatmaGandhi.

IpraytoGodtobestowonusthestrengthandthewisdomtoleadourselvesandthewholeworldtoitsdesireddestination.ItisIndiaandhealonethatcanguidetheworldtoitsgoal.itisIndiaalonethatcanbeexpectedtodogoodtotheworld.]*

Mr.TajamulHusain:Iwanttospeakafewwords.MynameisnotonthelistbutIwillnotexceedtwoorthreeminutes.HaveIyourpermission?



Mr.President:NoIhavegotmorethan25namesonthelist.

Mr.TaJamulHusain:IhopeIwillhaveyourpermissionafterwards.

Mr.President:,Iwouldrequestthespeakersnowtoshortentheirspeechesaswehavegotonlyfortyminutesmore,sothatImaybeabletogiveanopportunitytoasmanyspeakersasmay'wishtospeak.Isuggesttwominutesforeachspeaker.*[]*EnglishtranslationHindustanispeechends.

IcalluponDr.JosephAlbanD'Souzatospeak.

Dr.JosephAlbanD'Souba(Bombay:General):Mr.President:Igiveyou,SirandtheHouseaguaranteethatIamnotgoingtoexceedmorethan2or3minutes.IstandhereatthisAssemblyrostrumfirstasanIndianandthenonlyasanIndianChristian(Hear,hear)becauseSir,onthisdaywhentheNationalFlaghasbeenintroducedandplantedthereisjubillationandjoyallovertheNation,firstineveryIndianHomeandalongwiththatinthehomeofeveryIndianChristian.Sir,themoverofthisResolution,thegreatPanditJawaharlalNehru,hasinaneloquentandbrilliantmannertoldushowthisFlag,represents,inthefirstplacethebrilliantandgreattraditionsofthepastandequallybrillianthistoricconditionsofthepast.ThenSir,hewentontotilluswhatitrepresentsatpresent.Atpresenthetoldusitrepresentstheupsanddownsthathaveoccurredintheprogresstowardsfreedomandaboveall,hetoldusthatitrepresentsthetriumphantconclusionofourfightforfreedom.Sir,itisonlymeetandproperthatthemoverofthisResolutionshouldthegreatPanditJawaharlalNehruandwhy?Becauseofhisgreatpersonality.Sir,whatdoImeanbyhisgreatpersonality?IfIamtoexpressitasbrieflyasIcanandatthesametimegiveitallthesignificance,Ican,itisthis.Hispersonality,Sir,isbasedonallsacrificingandallselflesscharacter,andbecauseitisallsacrificingandallselfless,itisallpervading,allpermeatingandallconquering.Ineednotsayawordmoreonthis.ItisrotnecessarybecausethewholeofIndia,nay,Sir,theworldknowshowthisgreatsonofmotherIndiahasimmolatedhimselfonthehighaltaroftheIndianNationSir,Ithinkmytimeiscomingtoaclose.IshallexpressmyheartfeltdesirefortheprogressofIndiaundertheaegisoftheFlagthathasbeenacceptedtoday,byasmallLatinquotation:

"Vivat,Crescat,floreatIndia"

whichrenderedinEnglishmeansMayIndiaundertheaegisofthisFlag'live,growandflourish,tothelastingadvantageandglorynotonlyofteemingmillionsofcitizensofIndiabutmayIadd,Sir,tothelastinggloryandadvantageoftheworldatlargeThisSir.istheprayerofthishumbleIndianChristian.(Cheers.)

Mr.JaiNarainVyas(JodhpurState):*[Sir,IneednotsaymuchinpraiseoftheNationalFlag.IwanttoassociatemyselfonbehalfofthepoliticallybackwardpeopleoftheStates,withthechorusoftributepaidtothe

flag.UnderthisflagnotonlythepeopleoftheprovincesbuttheStatespeopletoohavefoughtforfreedom,economicandsocial,andforliberationfromforeignyoke.OurstruggleintheStatehasbeenassociatedwiththisflagandwiththemoveroftheResolutionrelatingtoTheflag,PanditJawaharlalNehru.WithouthisguidancethemovementoftheStatespeopleandtheirprogresswouldnothaveattainedthemomentumithas.TodayPanditNehru'snameisassociatedwiththeflag.Ourfeelingsandsentimentsarethesamea,,thoseofPanditNehru.PreviouslytherewasaCharkhaontheflagandnowaChakrahasbeensubstitutedforit.ThisCharkhaisthesymbolofactivity.UndertheCharkhaflagthepeopleoftenprovinceshavealreadyattainedfreedombutthepeopleoftheStateshaveyettoattainitincertainrespects.ImeanwehavetoattainresponsiblegovernmentinStates..Wedonotmeantoremoveourrulingprincesbutwewanttohavefullresponsiblegovernmentunderthem.Thereisnodoubtthatwewillattainourobjectiveunderthisflag.Thisisournationalflag.Itbelongstoallthecommunitiesof



IndiaHindus,Muslims,SikhsandParsis.LetitflyeverywhereinIndiaandontheViceregalLodge,onthehamletsofthepeasantsandonthepalacesoftheprinces.Withthesesentiment,IpaymyhomagetotheFlag.]**[]*EnglishtranslationofHinduatanisPeech.

ShriS.Nagappa(Madras:General):Mr.President,Sir,IrisetosupporttheResolutionbeforetheHouse,movedbyourreveredleaderPanditJawaharlalNehru.Sir,thisistheFlagunderwhichwehaveduringthelastsixtyyearsmarchedonandhaveatlastreachedvictory.WeareproudofthisFlag.InittherearethreecoloursandthesethreecoloursrepresentthethreecommunitiesinourCountrywhoareunitedintoone.TheFlagdenotesalsowhatthecountrydesires.Wedonotdesiretocaptureothercountries,wedonotwanttobeimperialistic,wedonotwanttoseeothercountriesbowingtous.AllthatwewantisthatourFlagshouldflyallovertheworldastheFlagsymbolisingpeace,progressandprosperity.Thatistheaimofourcountry.

MahatmaGandhiwaskindenoughtointroduceintheFlagtheemblemofthepoormantheindustrybywhichthepoormanekesoutalivelihoodtheCharkha.Sir,IcomefromtheHarijanCommunitywhichdependsverymuchonspinningandMahatmaGandhihasrightlyputtheCharkhaontheFlag.PanditNehruwaskindenoughtosaythatthisemblemshouldbeontheothersidealso,ifitisnutononeside.ButtheChakrarepresentsnotonlytheCharkhabutithappilyrepresentstheprogressofthecountryanditrepresentstherisingSun,therisingSunoftheindependenceofourcountry.Wehavebeenlivingfortwohundredyearsinslavery,andnowweareatlastseeingtheSunofindependencerisinginourcountry.

ThisChakrarepresentsalsothegreatVishnuChakrathewheeloftheworldthatwasabletotakethewholeworldtopeace,progressandprosperity.

Sir,itisveryeasytohaveaFlag,tohoisttheFlagandseeitflyoverbuildings.ButeverymanmustknowhowtokeepthehonouroftheFlag.ThenmanwhokeepsthehonouroftheFlagkeepsthehonourofthewholeNation.ThehighertheFlagflies,thegreateristhehonouroftheNation.

Hitherto,thisFlagwascalledtheCongressFlag.NowitcannotbecalledtheCongressFlag,itwillbecalledtheIndianNationalFlag.Everyone,whetherhebeaMuslim,HinduorChristian,willownthisFlag.Hehastodefenditandstakeevenhislife,ifneedbethenalonewillthehonourofourcountrybehighintheevesoftheworld.

Mr.LakshminarayanSahu(Orissa:General):Sir,IwholeheartedlysupporttheResolutionthathasbeensoably,wonderfully,andmayIadd,magicallymovedbyPanditJawaharlalNehru.TheFlagthathasbeenpresentedtousremindsmeofmyownplaceinOrissa.ThereisthetempleofJagnnathinOrissaoverwhichforoverathousandyearstheEternalWheelcalledtheNeelaChakrahasbeenstandingandwithitis

associatedtheFlagcalled"PatitaPavanVana",thatis,theflagwhichrepresentsthepoorpeople,theuntouchables.IwishthatonthisoccasionallourleaderswouldmakeanefforttothrowopenthetempleofJagannathtothesocalleduntouchableswhoaredeniedadmissionintoittoday.

ThiswheelonthisFlagremindsmealsoofmanyassociationsconnectedwithKalingaandMagadhatowhichlatterplaceyou.Mr.President,belong.AsokafromMagadhawentovertoKalingaandfoughtagreatbattle.Afterveryheavycarnage,hewasturnedintoagentlebeingthegentleAsokaanditistherethattheKalingasinawayconqueredAsoka.WhenIseethisFlaghere,associatedwiththenameofAsokaandalsowithBuddha,IamremindedthatourcountryKalingaafteragreatbattletaughtagoodlessontoAsokaanonviolentone.TherearetwoplacesinOrissaeventodaywheretheedictsofAsokaarestanding,totelltheworldthatwemustserveallcountriesandallhumanity,irrespectiveofcaste,



creed,colourandsoon.Infact,IfeelthatthisFlagofoursisnotonlyNational,butitisinawayInternationalbecausethewheelrepresentsthewheelofeternity.Therefore,allofus,Isay,eventhoseofuswhowerenotwiththeCongresstillyesterdaywillrespectthisFlag.ThisistheFlagwhichhasbecomeentirelyNational,completelyNationaltodaywhentheResolutionaboutthisNationalFlagwasmovedsoablybyPanditJawaharlalNehru.

WhenIseethethreecoloursonthisFlag,IamremindedalsoofthethreeimagesinsidethetempleofJagannath.LordJagannathrepresentsthebluecolour,BalaramrepresentsthewhiteandSubhadraDevirepresentstheyellowcolour,withLordJagannathandBalaramoneithersideofSubhadraDevi,inawaydefendingtheWomenfolk.ThissymbolIworshipbecauseinawayitisthesymbolofmycountrytheplacefromwhereIcometositinthisConstituentAssemblyasamember.

Itherefore,wholeheartedlysupporttheResolutionsoablymovedbyPanditJawaharlalNehru.

Rev.JeromeD'Souza(Madras:General):Mr.President,IthankyouSir,forgivingmetheopportunitytojoininthechorusoftheexpressionofhappinessonthisveryauspiciousoccasion,whenIndia,withoutdistinctionofreligionorcasteorcreed,provinceorsectionacceptsaNational.emblemthatwillrepresentherinthecouncilsoftheworld.Sir,someofuswhohaveseenpublicdemonstrationsandpageantsinforeigncountries,havefelthumiliationatseeingourowngreatland,itsvastpeoples,itsancientheritageandcultureanditsincomparablebeautyunrepresented.inthesepageants.AndwhenthesestrangerslookedatuswehadtobowourheadinhumiliationknowingthatinthisComitywehadnoindependentrepresentation.Sir,todaythishumiliationendsandifsuchapageantshouldtakeplace,thechildrenofIndiawhomaybepresenttherewillsharethepridewithwhichothernationsgreetandhonourthesymbolsoftheircountryflutteringintheairandtheirheartswillrejoiceastheirFlagwillriseinthebreeze.That,Sir,isoneaspectofitwhich,Ithink,willcomehometoallofuswithpeculiarsatisfaction.

Betterthanmostpeople,Itakeitthatourpeopleunderstandthemeaningofsymbolism,ofritualismthesignificanceofthehoistingofthisFlag,andallthatitstandsfor.Suchisourloveofritual,suchistheimaginativewealthwithwhichwesurroundsymbolsandsigns.Oursisaveryhappyandsingularlywellconceivedsymbolwithitsharmonyofcolourandwithitsuniqueideaofacircleinthecentreintowhichsuchawealthofmeaningcanbeconcentrated.Sir,Iamsuremanyofthosewhowerepresentwillrecallthehistoricaloccasionwhenthisverynoblebuildinginwhichwehavegatheredwasinaugurated.OnthatdaytheViceroyoftheday,LordIrwin,referredtothecircularconstructionofthisbuildingandalludingtooneofthenoblestofCristianEnglishpoets,quotedhislines.thathehadseen"eternityasacircleofwhitelight."Sir,thiscircle.this

wheel,whichrepresentssomanythingstimeanditsrevenges.industryandallitsachievementsrepresentsforusalsoternityandthevaluesofeternallife.

PanditJawaharlalNehrureferredtothesespiritualvaluesbywhichanationlivesandwhichshouldberepresentedbythisFlag.Nothingcouldbemoreappropriateandadmirablethanthiscircletorepresentthosespiritualvalues.ThisisthesymbolwithwhichIndiawillcontinueitsfightMayIbepermittedtosaythatIndiawillcontinueitsstrugglealsoforpeace,andthatjustashersoldierswillbeencouragedandupliftedbythesightofthisFlaginallrighteouswarfareagainstunjustenemies,soalsothisFlagwillstandasareminderofourloveofpeace.Mayithelpustogoforwardinallrighteousworkandseethatallsocialwrongsarerighted.Aboveall,ineverycaseoffraticidalwarfare,ofstrifeamongourselves,wheninjusticeisdone,whentempersrise,whencommunalpeaceisbrokenup,maythesightofthisFlaghelptosoftentheharshanddiscordantvoices,andhelpustostandtogether,aswehavegatheredtodayinunanimity,inhappinessisbrotherlyfeelingtosalutethis,ourNationalFlag.



Mr.President:ThereareyetanumberofspeakersonthelistbutIhadpromisedearlierthatIwillcallMrs.Naidutomakethefinalspeech.SoIrequesthertoaddresstheHouse.

Mrs.SarojiniNaidu(Bihar:General):Mr.President,theHouseknowsthatIhadrefusedoverandoveragainthismorningtospeak.IthoughtthatthespeechofJawaharlalNehrusoepicinitsqualityofbeauty,dignityandappropriatenesswassufficienttoexpresstheaspirations,emotionsandtheidealsofthisHouse.ButIwashappywhenIsawtherepresentativesofthevariouscommunitiesthatconstitutethisHouseriseupandpledgetheirallegiancetothisFlag.IwasespeciallyremindedbythepeoplethatsitbehindmefromtheProvinceofBiharthatitwasattheriskofmylifeandseatintheirprovince,shouldIforgettomentionthatthisFlag,sowillinglyandproudlyacceptedtodaybytheHouse.hasforitssymboltheDharmaChakraofAsoka,whomtheyclaim(Idonotknowwithwhathistoricalveracity)tobeaBihariButifIamspeakingheretoday,itisnotanbehalfofanycommunity,oranycreedoranysex,thoughwomenmembersofthisHouseareveryinsistentthatawomanshouldspeak.Ithinkthatthetimehascomeintheonwardmarchoftheworldcivilisationwhenthereshouldbenolongeranysexconsciousnessorsexseparationintheserviceofthecountry.IthereforespeakonbehalfofthatancientrebornMotherwithherundividedheartandindivisiblespirit,whoseloveisequalforallherchildren,nomatterwhatcornertheycomefrominwhattemplesormosquestheyworship,whatlanguagetheyspeakorwhatculturetheyprofess.

Manymanytimesinthecourseofmylonglife,inmytravelsabroadforIamvagabondbynatureandbydestinyIhavesufferedthemostterriblemomentsofanguishinfreecountries,becauseIndiapossessednoflagAfewofthosemomentIwouldliketorecall.

OnthedaywhenpeacewassignedatVersaillesafterthelastwar.IhappenedtobeinParis.TherewasgreatrejoicingeverywhereandflagsofallnationsdecoratedtheOperaHouse.Therecameontheplatformafamousactresswithabeautifulvoice.forwhomtheproceedingswereinterruptedwhileshewrappedroundherselftheflagofFrance.TheentireaudienceroseasonemanandsangwithhertheNationalAnthemofFrancetheMarseillaise.AnIndiannearmewithtearsinhiseyesturnedtomeandsaid"WhenshallwehaveourownFlag?""Thetimewillsooncome,"Ianswered,'WhenweshallhaveourownFlagandourownAnthem."

IwasaskedtospeakatapeacecelebrationinNewYorksoonafterthepeacehadbeensigned.FortyfourNationsandtheirFlagsflutteringinthegreathallinwhichtheAssemblymet.IlookedattheFlagsofalltheNationsandwhenIspokeIcriedthatthoughIdidnotseeinthatgreatAssemblyofFreeNationstheFlagof

FreeIndia,itwouldbecomethemosthistoricFlagoftheIworldinthenotdistantfuture.

ItwasalsoamomentofanguishformewhenafewmonthslaterfortytwoNationssenttheirwomentoanInternationalConferenceinBerlin.Theretheywereplanningtohave,onemorning,aFlagparadeoftheNations.Indiahadnoofficialflag.ButatmysuggestionsomeofthewomenIndiandelegatestorestripsfromtheirsarissittinguptillthesmallhoursofthemorningtomaketheTricolournag,sothatourcountryshouldnotbehumiliatedforthelackofaNationalBanner.

Buttheworstanguishofallwasonlyafewmonthsago,whenontheinspirationofJawaharlalNehrutheNationsofAsiametinDelhiandaffirmedtheunityofAsia.OnthewallbehindtheplatformtherewastheflagofeverynationofAsia.Iranwasthere,Chinawasthere,AfghanistanwasthereasalsoSiam.Bigcountriesandlittlecountrieswereallrepresentedbutwehadexercisedaselfdenyingordinance,sothatwemightscrupulouslykeeporpledgethatnopartypoliticswouldbepermittedattheconference.CanyounotunderstandandsharewithmetheanguishofthatdecisionwhichexcludedtheTricolourtheCongressFlagfromtheAsianConference?Butheretodayweretrievethatsorrowandthatshame:we



attainourownFlag,theFlagofFreeIndia.Todaywejustify,wevindicateandwesalutethisFlagunderwhichsomanyhundredsandthousandsofushavefoughtandsuffered.Menandwomen,oldandyoung,princesandpeasants,HindusandMuslims,Sikhs,Jains,Christians,Zorostrians,allofthemhavefoughtunderthisFlag.WhenmyfriendKhaliquazzamanwasspeaking,Isawbeforemethegreatpatriots,myfriendsandcomradesoftheMuslimcommunitywhohadsufferedunderthisFlag.IthoughtofMahomedAli,ofShaukatAli,ofAnsariandofAjmalKhan.IcouldmentionthesmallestcommunityinIndia,theParsicommunity,thecommunityofthatgrandoldmanDadabhaiNaoroji,whosegranddaughterstoofoughtsidebysidewiththeothers,sufferedimprisonmentandmadesacrificesforthefreedomofIndia.IwasaskedbyamanwhoWasblindwithprejudice:'HowcanyouspeakofthisflagastheflagofIndia?Indiaisdivided.'Itoldhimthatthisismerelyatemporarygeographicalseparation.ThereisnospiritofseparationintheheartofIndia.(Hear,hear).TodayIaskoneandalltohonourthisFlag.Thatwheel,whatdoesitrepresent?ItrepresentstheDharmaChakraofAsokatheMagnificentwhosenthismessageofpeaceandbrotherhoodallovertheworld.Didhenotanticipatethemodernidealoffellowshipandbrotherhoodandcooperation?Doesnotthatwheelstandasasymbolforeverynationalinterestandnationalactivity?DoesitnotrepresenttheChakraofmyillustrationsadbelovedleader,MahatmaGandhiandthewheeloftimethatmarchesandmarchesandmarcheswithouthesitationandwithouthalt?DoesitnotrepresenttheraysoftheSun?Doesitnotrepresenteternity?Doesitnotrepresentthehumanmind?WhoshaltliveunderthatFlagwithoutthinkingofthecommonIndia?Whoshalllimititsfunctions?Whoshalllimititsinheritance?TowhomdoesAbelong?ItbelongstoIndia.ItbelongstoanIndia.PanditJawaharlalNehrutoldusthatIndiahasneverbeenexclusive.Iwishhehadadded'IndiawelcomesallknowledgefromfriendandtoealikeDidshenot?Havenotalltheculturesoftheworldcontributedtotheoceanofherculture?HasIslamnotbroughttoIndiatheidealsofdemocraticbrotherhoodtheZorostrianhissteadfastcourage,whofledfromlranwithablazinglogfromtheirfiretemple,whoseflamehasnotperishedthesethousandyears?HavenottheChristiansbroughttousthelesson.ofservicetothehumblestoftheland?HasnottheimmemorialHinducreedtaughtusuniversalloveofmankindandhasitnottaughtusthatweshallnotjudgemerelybyourownnarrowstandardbutthat'weshouldjudgebytheuniversalstandardofhumanity?

ManyofmyfriendshavespokenofthisFlagwiththepoetryoftheir

ownhearts.Iasapoetandasawoman,IamspeakingprosetoyouwhenIsaythatwewomenstandfortheunityofIndia.RememberthisFlagthereisnoprinceandthereisnopeasant,thereisnorichandthereisnopoor.Thereisnoprivilegethereisonlydutyandresibilityandsacrifice.WhetherwebeHindusorMuslims,Christians,SikhsorZorostriansandothers,ourMotherIndiahasoneundividedheartandoneindivisiblespirit.MenandwomenofrebornIndia.riseandsalutethisFlagIbidyou,riseandsalutetheFlag.(Loudcheers).

Mr.President:IwouldaskMemberstoexpresstheirassenttotheResolutionwhichhasbeenplacedbeforethemandshowtheirrespecttotheFlagbygettingupandstandingintheirplacesforhalfaminute.

Themotionwasadopted,thewholeAssemblystanding.

Mr.President:Ihavetomakeoneannouncementbeforeweadjourn.Aquestionwasputtomeyesterdayaboutthefutureprogramme.IhavehadconsultationswithsomeoftheMembersandwiththestaffoftheConstituentAssemblyIaminapositiontostatethatitispossibletocompletethediscussionoftheReportoftheUnionConstitutionCommitteewithinthismonthand,ifwedothat,saybythe30thor31stofthismonth,wemightadjournthissession.Weshallberequiredtobehereagainonthe15thofthenextmonthwhenpowerwillbeactuallytransferredtothepeople'srepresentativesbytheRepresentativeoftheBritishGovernment.WhenMemberscomehereforthatfunctionIsuggestthatwemightcontinueoursittingsafterthe15thAugustandtakeuptheReportoftheUnionPowersCommittee.Ifthisis



acceptabletotheHouse(Hon'bleMembers:'yes')wemayalsohavetheReportoftheMinoritiesCommitteeandwemayhopetodisposeofthatalsoduringthenextsession.

TheHonourablePanditJawaharLalNehru:Mr.President,Sir,mayIrespectfullysuggestthatthetwoFlagswhichhavebeendisplayedthismorningmaybespeciallypreservedandsubsequentlydepositedintheNationalMuseum(Applause.)

Mr.President:Iacceptthatsuggestion.

AnHonourableMember:IrequestyouonbehalfoftheHousetoconveyourhomagetoMahatmaGandhiandtellhimthatweareobservingthedayverymagnificently.

Mr.President:Iwilldothatwiththegreatestpleasure.

TheAssemblythenadjournedtillTenoftheClock,onWednesday,the23rdJuly1947.

3ef8dThe National Flag

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