Hoist tricolour for a week, tells HC
‘‘Erect a flagpole in front of your house and hoist the national flag daily for one week.” This was the condition laid down by the Madras high court for the release of eight people accused of attempting to burn the tricolour in Coimbatore during the anti-Sri Lanka demonstrations in Tamil Nadu in April.
Justice R Regupathi said, ‘‘The petitioners would have to hoist the flag at 6am and lower it at 6pm. The compliance to the order should be monitored by the Coimbatore police.’’ He said though he was inclined to release the petitioners, all members of ultra-nationalist Tamil groups, on bail to make them realise the pristine value of the national symbol, and also their obligations and responsibility in upholding the sanctity of such symbols, it’s but proper to impose the conditions.
Not stopping at that, the judge asked the eight to visit an orphanage and undertake community service for three hours daily for seven days. They have also been told to submit a personal bond of Rs 10,000 besides a surety for the same amount.
