Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi Speak Out on Khadi and National Flag Issues
New Delhi, India – August 20: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has raised concerns about the identity of Mahatma Gandhi’s Khadi being compromised. He criticized the central government for failing to regulate the market, leading to the sale of semi-mechanized Khadi under the same tag as traditional hand-spun Khadi. Kharge highlighted that Khadi spinners earn only Rs200-Rs250 a day despite their hard work.
Kharge’s comments were made in response to an editorial by Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. In her article titled “The ‘livery of India’s freedom’ is under threat,” Sonia Gandhi discussed the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She pointed out the moral duplicity of promoting the national flag while allowing the use of machine-made polyester flags, often imported from China.
Sonia Gandhi noted that in 2022, the government amended the Flag Code of India to include machine-made polyester flags and exempted them from the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This change put polyester flags on the same tax footing as Khadi flags, which historically had to be hand-spun and hand-woven. She emphasized that Khadi holds a special place in India’s history and culture, symbolizing both the past and modernity.
The Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS), the only national flag manufacturing unit accredited by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), had to go on an indefinite strike to protest against the government’s actions. Sonia Gandhi also criticized the government for not promoting Indian handlooms globally and for reducing Khadi procurement by government departments.
Both Kharge and Sonia Gandhi stressed the need to protect Khadi’s identity and ensure fair wages for Khadi spinners.
Doubts Revealed
Mallikarjun Kharge -: Mallikarjun Kharge is a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, a major political party in India. He is currently the President of the Congress party.
Sonia Gandhi -: Sonia Gandhi is a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress and has served as its President for many years. She is also the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party.
Khadi -: Khadi is a type of cloth that is hand-spun and hand-woven in India. It was popularized by Mahatma Gandhi as a symbol of self-reliance and independence during India’s freedom struggle.
Mahatma Gandhi -: Mahatma Gandhi was a leader in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. He promoted the use of Khadi as a way to support local artisans and reduce dependence on foreign goods.
Flag Code of India -: The Flag Code of India is a set of rules and guidelines about how the Indian national flag should be made, displayed, and used. It ensures respect and proper handling of the flag.
GST -: GST stands for Goods and Services Tax. It is a tax that is applied to the sale of goods and services in India. It helps the government collect revenue.
Congress -: The Indian National Congress is one of the oldest and largest political parties in India. It played a significant role in India’s independence movement and continues to be a major political force.
semi-mechanized Khadi -: Semi-mechanized Khadi refers to Khadi that is partially made using machines, unlike traditional Khadi which is entirely hand-made. This can affect its authenticity and quality.
polyester flags -: Polyester flags are made from a type of synthetic fabric called polyester. They are machine-made and are different from traditional Khadi flags, which are hand-spun and hand-woven.