PATHANAMTHITTA: It has been four years since 64-year-old Jose K. Thomas filed a formal complaint with the Chief Secretary, highlighting a violation of the national flag code at Secretariat. Despite the passage of time, authorities have yet to address the issue but Thomas remains determined to see the flag displayed in strict compliance with the law.

Thomas has a deep, personal connection to the national flag. Since January 26, 2002, when the Supreme Court declared flag hoisting a fundamental right of every citizen, he has hoisted the national flag daily at his residence. The ritual begins every morning after sunrise and ends before sunset, following the official guidelines. Family members and even passing students regularly participate in or observe this act of patriotism.

Patriotism runs in Thomas's family. His father, Thomas Kunjuju, served in the Travancore Police, while his son, Major Vivek Thomas, currently serves in the Indian Army. Jose K. Thomas, who returned to India after years abroad, now serves as the president of the Kulanada Puthuvakkal Reading Room. His dedication to the flag is a reflection of this legacy of service to the country.

Disrespect behind the clock tower

The crux of Thomas’s complaint is the improper positioning of the national flag at the Secretariat. According to him, the flag should be prominently displayed at the top of the building and in front of it, with the flagpole fully visible. However, at the Secretariat, the flag is hoisted behind the clock tower, obscuring it from view. This becomes a more significant issue during occasions when the flag is to be flown at half-mast, as the clock tower hides it entirely from public sight.