Is this flag desecration? Why this floor ad at a Sydney station stoked community outrage

A floor advertisement featuring national flags at one of Sydney’s busiest railway stations was removed after community outrage, raising questions over what is considered acceptable and not.

The floor advertisement, adorned with national flags, at Parramatta station in Sydney became a centre of public concern before it removed by the advertiser. Credit: Meet Khakhkhar.

Key Points

• A floor advertisement adorned with national flags at Parramatta Station in Sydney caused significant community outrage.
• The global money transfer company responsible apologised for the placement of the advertisement and removed it.
• Intentionally destroying or damaging a flag is criminalised in some countries, while others permit it as a form of free expression.

On a recent visit to Parramatta Railway Station, Meet Khakhkhar said he was "disturbed" to see a floor advertisement featuring the national flags of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

"I felt hurt seeing commuters walking over the advertisement containing national flags of many countries," the Indian national told SBS Gujarati.

I couldn't bear the scene and quickly approached the station authority at Parramatta Station.

Meet Khakhkhar

Although the station authority lacked the power to remove the advertisement, a temporary barricade was erected to deter foot traffic.

Station staff put a temporary barricade to deter foot traffic. Credit: Meet Khakhkhar

With no immediate response from Sydney Trains, Khakhkhar said he turned to social media, including LinkedIn, to contact the relevant authorities for action.

"My concerns were echoed on Facebook, garnering community support and demanding the removal of (the) offensive advertisement," he said.

Meet Khakhkhar's social media post was liked by more than 500 users. Credit: Meet Khakhkhar

Flag desecration or appropriate advertising?

Desecration, which can be defined as harming or disrespecting a sacred object, is often applied to symbols such as national flags.

Some countries, like India, criminalise flag desecration while others, like Australia, permit it as an act of free expression.

While laws vary, actions that may be treated as flag desecration include burning a flag, stepping upon it or using it for commercial purposes.

Upon learning about the community backlash, Andrew Charlton, Federal MP for Parramatta, wrote to the CEO of Remitly, urging the removal of the advertisement.

Upon learning about the community backlash, Andrew Charlton, Federal MP for Parramatta, wrote to the CEO of Remitly, urging the removal of the advertisement. Credit: Office of MP Andrew Charlton.

He emphasised Parramatta's multicultural identity and called for an apology to the local South Asian community.

“I will not stand for this offensive advertising. Parramatta is a proud multicultural city with more than half of our residents speaking a language other than English," he said in a statement.

I have written to the CEO of Remitly to demand that this hurtful advertisement be removed, and an apology be issued to our local South Asian community.

Andrew Charlton, Federal MP for Parramatta

Three days after being contacted by Khakhkhar, Sydney Trains assured him that the advertisement had been removed.

Advertiser apologises

In response to SBS Gujarati, Remitly's Vice President of Marketing for Europe and Asia, Ryan Riley, apologised for the advertisement's inappropriate placement.

"We apologise for the recent placement of Remitly’s advertisement at Parramatta Railway Station in Sydney, Australia," he said in a statement.

Featuring national flags on the ground and in a manner that allows them to be stepped on is inappropriate and does not honour or give proper respect to the nations represented.

Ryan Riley, Vice President of Marketing for Europe and Asia, Remitly

"At Remitly, we value and respect the diverse cultures and communities we serve globally. We have removed the advertisement and are taking additional steps to improve our practices to uphold the highest standards of respect and integrity to ensure this cannot happen again."

The global money transfer company apologised for the placement of the advertisement and removed it. Credit: Meet Khakhkhar

For Khakhkhar, national flags symbolise pride and connection to one's homeland.

"It is something which connects us with our motherland here in Australia and should be treated respectfully," he said.

Dr Kadira Pethiyagoda is a foreign affairs expert at Australia India Institute and author of 'Indian Foreign Policy and Cultural Values'.

Dr Kadira Pethiyagoda is a foreign affairs expert at Australia India Institute. Credit: Supplied

He said national flags had increasingly become triggers for emotional responses amongst the public, particularly in relation to Israel-Palestine tensions.

"Seeing national flags disrespected evokes anger, particularly given they have become the targets of a public frustrated at governments not obeying their wishes on foreign policy," he said.

How do rules for flags differ?

While Australia does not have laws prohibiting desecration of the Australian flag or any other national flag, Pethiyagoda said the act must be otherwise compliant with the local law.

He said one may be charged with other offences related to public safety if the act of flag desecration causes fire danger or "concern, fright and anger".

According to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Australian national flag or representation of the flag may be used for commercial or advertising purposes without formal permission adhering to the guidelines.

Australia and India have different approaches to flag use. Credit: Public Domain

Australia's approach differs with that of other countries like India.

In India, the hoisting, use and display of the Indian national flag is governed by strict regulations under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and the Flag Code of India, 2002, that says the flag must be treated with respect.

According to the guidelines, whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or brings into contempt the Indian national flag or the Constitution of India shall be punished.

Pethiyagoda urged public and government agencies to be "mindful of both the international atmosphere and the significant multicultural communities within Australia" when engaging with countries' flags.

"The responsible thing for governments to do with regard to foreign flags is to assign every state's flag equal respect and protection, not promoting some while banning others - and respecting people's right to freedom of expression," he added.

The Consulate General of India in Sydney was contacted for comment, but SBS Gujarati did not receive a reply by the time of publishing.

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