Mandira Bedi does it again

While hosting the Cricket World Cup 2007 Finals on Set MAX with Charu Sharma, Mandira Bedi was seen wearing a saree which had national flags of all the countries which participated in the tournament. As seen Mandira was seen wearing a sari, which had an image of the Indian Tricolour below her waist, which was against the constitutional norm. Mandira's sari on the occasion had images of national flags of all the cricket-playing nations printed on it. But the image of the Indian Tricolour was in a rather disrespectful position.

The Indian Government had cleared wearing of images of the Indian Tricolour on clothing in 2005 following a raging debate over the provision of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, according to which using the Indian national flag as a drapery in any form except in state funerals was a crime.

The restrctions were eased after a legal fight by industrialist and Congress party MP Naveen Jindal, demanding that all Indians and institutions be allowed to fly the national flag respectfully. After the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Jindal in 2001, the Government brought in an amendment in the Act in 2005.

However, even that amendment made it clear that the flag can only be displayed on garments above the waist. As per the order, caps and T-shirts are in, but swimsuits and evening gowns are still a no-no. The flag can not be embroidered or printed even on cushion covers, gloves, handkerchiefs, napkins and dress material. Mandira has worn garment with Indian tricolor on previous occasions but it was well above the waist.