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CWG 2022 (Image source: Twitter)
Indian Women’s Cricket team is all set to represent the country at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Notably, this is only the second time that cricket has been included in the Commonwealth Games. The last time this happened was in 1998 when South Africa defeated Australia in the final. That was, however, the men’s team. This time around, it is the women’s cricket game which has been honoured with a place at the global event.
Recently a peculiar aspect of the newly launched Indian Women’s Cricket team caught the attention of many. Fans saw that the Ashok Chakra has been removed from the Indian team jersey. Upon further research, it was revealed that the Indian Cricket Board is conforming to the government’s order. Under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act of 1971, it is prohibited to insult national symbols such as the national flag, Ashok Chakra, national emblem, national anthem or Indian constitution in any manner.
This act says, “whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.”
As players often slide on the ground, it is usual for the tricolour to get dirtied and hence as a preventive measure it was removed from the Indian Women’s Cricket team jersey at the CWG 2022. The BCCI logo which draws inspiration from the Ashok Chakra has also been removed from the Indian team jersey.
No objection on Tri-colour: Rajeev Shukla
Indian cricket board vice-president Rajeev Shukla said, “The Home Minister has conveyed to me that cricketers can use the tri-colour without the Ashok Chakra on their helmet or costumes.”
“There is no objection to the tricolour being used on the helmet or on the costume by the players. However, the national flag (tricolour complete with Ashok Chakra) cannot be displayed as per existing law.” Added Mr Shukla.
India is playing against Australia in the first match of the Women’s T20I at the CWG 2022.