Inquiry against government officials for 'insulting' national emblem

Lucknow, Nov 12 (IANS) An inquiry has been instituted against a group of government officials in Uttar Pradesh for showing disrespect to the country's national emblem, district administration officials said Wednesday.

'The inquiry has been ordered against the staff of a government-run veterinary hospital in Bhaukra village in Bahraich district,' sub-divisional magistrate Bulaki Ram told IANS on phone.

According to reports, the national emblem that was fixed on the gates of the hospital got detached and remained on the ground for several days.

No one among the hospital staff bothered to fix the emblem and thus showed disrespect to the national symbol, officials said.

'Though we came to know about the matter from the locals Tuesday, we avoided media queries as we were busy with preliminary investigations in the case,' said Ram. The emblem was fixed immediately.

Bahraich is some 270 km from state capital Lucknow.

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, prohibits desecration of or insult to the country's national symbols, including the flag, constitution and anthem.