The recent fuss in Jessore regarding the hoisting of foreign flags during the FIFA world cup is unnecessary, and reflects a smallness of spirit that dampens the enthusiasm with which the games are being enjoyed across the country.
While the Jessore district administration has insisted that it is a request and not a directive, a ban on Bangladeshi nationals flying foreign flags during the recent ICC T20 Cricket World Cup in Dhaka shows that it doesn’t take much for requests like these to become officially enforced.
The district administration has cited the Bangladesh flag rules, which states “the flag of a Foreign State shall not be flown on any car or building in Bangladesh without the specific permission of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh” as reason for the request.
But it may be looking too closely at the letter of the law and missing the spirit of it, which is intended to protect national sovereignty and the dignity of the flags of other nations, neither of which are at risk in this instance.
The festive mood of the World Cup is significantly enhanced by the flying of colourful flags that transform the country into an international arena, much like the World Cup itself. It is all done in good spirits, so there is no need to take offence where none is intended.
