Accused of disrespecting national emblem, rifle association bites the bullet

MiD DAY had reported earlier that an activist had filed a complaint with the police commissioner stating that Delhi State Rifle Association was using an improper version of the emblem in its official logo. The motif has now been modified.

Accused of disrespecting national emblem, rifle association bites the bullet

Under fire over 'misusing and disrespecting' the national emblem, the Delhi state rifle association (DSRA) has been forced to change its logo.u00a0

Mark of a nation:u00a0The State Emblem of India is an adaptation fromu00a0

the Sarnath Lion, capital of Emperor Ashoka, as preserved at theu00a0

Sarnath Museum. The government adopted the emblem on 26th January

, 1950, the day when India became republic.u00a0

As reported by MiD DAY on September 14, a Delhi-based activist had filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, Delhi for violation of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act 2005 and the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules 2007 by the association.u00a0After receiving the complaint Delhi police contacted DSRA. The national emblem did not have 'Satyamev Jayte' written below it.u00a0

Change is here:u00a0The new logo of Delhi state rifle association

Now DSRA has a new logo on its website. "Thankfully they have rectified the error as normally agencies ignore such complaints. We had also informed police about the selling of plastic tricolours on the streets of Delhi recently. Around 30,000 flags were seized but no strict action was taken. It is our country and we should give proper respect to the nation," said complainant Naresh Kadyan.

MiD DAY's story of September 14.u00a0pics/MiD DAY

Quick draw

Kadyan had also filed an RTI plea with the ministry of home affairs to find out about the proper usage of the emblem. "For ensuring correct display of the complete profile of the 'State Emblem' with the motto 'Satyameva Jayate', this ministry circulated the state emblem of India (regulation of use Rules, 2007 on 19.10.2007 and then sent an advisory to all the state government/UT administrations for correct display of the complete profile of the state emblem on 19.11.2007, 22.09.2009, 07.09.2010, 01.02.2011 and again on 26.07.2011.u00a0

An advertisement regarding correct/proper use of the State Emblem of India was also published in 25 leading newspaper of India on 31.08.2011/ 01.09.2011. The onus for actual implementation and enforcement of the instructions issued on the subject lies with the authorities under whose territorial jurisdiction any such act of omission takes place," said the reply of the ministry to the plea.u00a0

First punch

Naresh Kadyan had also complained against boxer Vijender Singh earlier, who had printed the national emblem on his wedding card. "No major prosecution was carried out. I have also made a complaint about security firms who use the emblem on their uniform. Even some government agencies are flouting all rules while using the symbol," he said.u00a0

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