New Delhi: In Himda village, Karnal district, Haryana, the local ration distributor has reportedly refused to give beneficiaries their due for this month unless they first spend Rs 20 on an Indian flag. According to News18, similar instances were also observed in other parts of the district – as well as opposition to it.
As part of the celebrations around 75 years of India’s independence, the Union government has launched a ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign – asking all families to fly the national flag from their homes.
According to the channel, ration dealers said they had been given instructions from government authorities that ration distribution for this month should take place only alongside the sale of national flags. Apparently the dealers have already paid Rs 20 for each flag, and so are keen to make back that money.
Ration card holders have come out strongly against this decision, Dainik Bhaskar reported. They have argued that due to inflation and the increase in prices of all basic goods, they are already have a tough time making ends meet – without having to spend an extra Rs 20 on a flag.
In a video doing the rounds on social media – which has also been tweeted by BJP MP Varun Gandhi, despite his party being in power in Haryana – ration card holders can be seen complaining about this rule and arguing that it does not make sense.
“Instead of pushing for flags in every home, why not push for jobs in every home,” says a young woman. “If that happens, if there’s no unemployment, there won’t be difficulties in so many households. Right now people are worried even about affording ration.”
आजादी की 75वीं वर्षगाँठ का उत्सव गरीबों पर ही बोझ बन जाए तो दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण होगा।
राशनकार्ड धारकों को या तिरंगा खरीदने पर मजबूर किया जा रहा है या उसके बदले उनके हिस्से का राशन काटा जा रहा है।
हर भारतीय के हृदय में बसने वाले तिरंगे की कीमत गरीब का निवाला छीन कर वसूलना शर्मनाक है। pic.twitter.com/pYKZCfGaCV
Advertisement— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) August 10, 2022
The video has been made by a website called ‘Karnal Breaking News‘.
“I don’t want a flag, I’m here for ration,” a man says in the video. “I don’t have the money for it. I asked 10-20 people around here for money. They said, ‘We don’t have work, where will we get money from.'”
