Introduction

• Prime Minister’s Campaign: The "Har Ghar Tiranga" campaign aims to promote the display of the national flag in every household in the week leading up to Independence Day (August 9-15).
• Concerns Raised:
  • The Prime Minister’s moral duplicity is noted, as he supports an organization indifferent to the flag’s values.
  • There is criticism of the widespread use of machine-made polyester flags, which undermines the traditional khadi fabric.

Historical and Symbolic Importance of Khadi

• Khadi’s Legacy:
  • Fabric Description: Khadi is a hand-spun and hand-woven fabric made from wool, cotton, or silk.
  • Symbolic Value: Khadi is a symbol of India''s independence and self-sufficiency, introduced by Mahatma Gandhi during the independence movement.
  • Historical Use: The Indian flag originally featured a charkha (spinning wheel) in its center and mandated the use of khadi, reflecting its significance in the national struggle.

Changes to the Flag Code

• Amendment in 2022:
  • Flag Code Modification: The Flag Code of India was amended to include "machine-made polyester bunting" alongside khadi.
  • Tax Exemption: Polyester flags were exempted from GST, placing them on the same tax footing as khadi flags, which traditionally enjoyed tax benefits due to their symbolic importance.

Impact on the Khadi Industry

• Khadi Manufacturing:
  • Strike: The Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS), the only BIS-accredited flag manufacturing unit, went on strike to protest against the government''s shift towards polyester.
  • Economic Impact: The switch to polyester has negatively affected the khadi industry, historically a symbol of India’s economic and cultural values.

Government Policies and Their Effects

• Support for Big Corporates:
  • Economic Policies: Since 2014, the government has favored big corporate interests and undermined the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, which includes handloom industries.
  • Impact of Demonetisation and GST: Demonetisation and the GST regime have strained handloom workers, leading to a decline in traditional industries.
• GST Burden:
  • Taxation: GST applies to both handloom products and raw materials such as yarns, dyes, and chemicals, increasing costs for handloom workers.
  • Worker Strain: Rising costs, particularly for electricity and cotton fiber, have squeezed handloom workers financially.

Current Challenges Faced by the Khadi Sector

• Vishwakarma Yojana:
  • Exclusion: The recently launched Vishwakarma Yojana, aimed at supporting traditional craftspeople, excludes handloom spinners and weavers, further neglecting this sector.
• Khadi Procurement:
  • Government Procurement: There has been a decline in government procurement of khadi, with departments often ignoring mandates that require them to use khadi.
  • Market Regulation: The market is flooded with semi-mechanized khadi, which dilutes the authenticity and value of traditionally hand-spun khadi. This practice negatively affects the wages and working conditions of khadi spinners, who earn between ₹200-₹250 a day.
• Global Promotion:
  • Missed Opportunities: India has failed to build a global audience for its handlooms. As global consumers increasingly value sustainable and fair-trade products, the lack of promotion has diminished the international standing of Indian khadi.

Call for Restoration and Reform

• Restoration of Khadi:
  • Symbolic Significance: The article calls for the restoration of khadi as the exclusive fabric for the national flag to honor its historical and symbolic value.
  • Economic and Cultural Value: Emphasizes that khadi, described by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as “the livery of India’s freedom,” should regain its place as a symbol of national pride and identity.
• Reimagining the Handloom Sector:
  • Support and Empowerment: There is a need to reimagine and revitalize India’s handloom traditions, including forming cooperatives and marketing their products more effectively.
  • Market Regulation: Urges the government to regulate the market to ensure that only authentic hand-spun khadi is sold and to provide better support to handloom workers.

Conclusion

• Restoration and Support: The article concludes with a call to restore khadi’s role in representing the national flag and to support handloom workers and traditional industries.
• Historical Duty: Emphasizes the need to honor India’s historical traditions and support the economic and cultural significance of khadi.

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