20 May,2011 06:56 AM IST | | Shashank Shekhar
Delhi resident writes to the Haryana chief minister and the police regarding the boxer allegedly misusing the symbol
Celebrated boxer Vijender Singh, who recently married his software engineer girlfriend from Delhi, has run into a controversy with reports claiming that he had printed the national emblem on the invitation card of his wedding reception. MiD DAY has a copy of the card. No action has been taken against the pugilist yet. But now a Delhi resident has sent an online complaint to Chief Minister of Haryana, Deputy Collector and Superintendent of Police of Bhiwan on the issue.
Rohini-based Abhishek Kadyan showed us the acknowledgement of the complaint. "Grievance has been registered vide Registration no. DCBHW/E/2011/00022 On 19-05-2011 with the Deputy Commissioner, Bhiwani through HARSAMADHAN web portal of the Govt. of Haryana by Abhishek Kadyan for strict legal action against all offenders," it said.
Gloves off
"I have all respect for Vijender Singh as a sportsperson but he cannot disrespect the national emblem at any cost. No celebrity should take these things lightly and if they have misused it they should be punished. No one is above the law. People are calling and asking to me to withdraw the case as he is a national hero but my question is, is anyone bigger than the nation?" said Abhishek. The invitation cards distributed in Bhiwani on behalf of Vijender's father Mahipal Singh carried the national emblem, an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka with Satyamev Jayate written beneath.
When contacted, the Olympic bronze-medallist boxer's brother Manoj told PTI from Bhiwani that it was a minor issue and should not be raked up. Asked if the emblem had been printed on the invitation card or not, he said, "Yes, emblem has been printed, but it was printed by mistake." Bhiwani's Superintendent of Police Ashwin Sainvi said that he had not seen the card but if anybody lodges complaint, police would act according to law. "We have not received any complaint so far. If we get any complaint, we will act," he said.
The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of improper use) Act, 2005 mentions that no person shall use the emblem for private purpose of any trade, business etc or in the title of any patent, or in any trademark or design, except in such cases and under such conditions as may be prescribed. The Act also states that no person shall use the emblem or any colourable imitation, thereof, in any manner which tends to create an impression that it relates to the government or that it is an official order of state or central government. The violation carries a penalty with imprisonment up to two years and fine of Rs. 5,000 or both.
Past matters
On November 2009, MS Bitta, the then chairman of All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF), organised a media meet to praise the courage of Rukhsana, a young girl from Jammu and Kashmir, who axed an LeT militant to death. While Bitta spoke about Rukhsana's feat, he failed to notice a blunder in the National Flag displayed prominently on the podium behind him. The navy blue Chakra at the centre of the life-sized flag had a few extra spokes. Instead of the stipulated 24, Bitta's flag had 32 spokes.
Bitta not only overlooked the mistake, which amounts to insult of the flag and can attract severe punishment, he even pointed to it several times during his speech.u00a0 When questioned by MiD DAY about the Tiranga's slip-up, Bitta was caught unawares. "There are as many spokes as required," he said. Later his press secretary and spokesperson Parag Jain called up MiD DAY to accept the mistake. "We are very sorry for the slip-up. It is a human mistake, not done intentionally," said Jain.
