Khadi is a handspun and hand-woven cotton cloth that originated in India and is considered an important national icon of the country's freedom struggle. Sonia Gandhi accused the Modi government of neglecting the khadi tradition by allowing polyester flags, mostly imported from China. She and her inner circle refuse to accept the fact that the Modi government's 'Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign' created a demand rise that a single authorised Khadi flag manufacturing plant could not have met.
Hence, polyester is also used in the production of national flags, in addition to khadi. About 25 crore flags are needed yearly, according to Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan. Self-help groups (SHGs) have now taken over the majority of the production from large vendors, turning them into a thriving industry that makes and sells the majority of the national flags.
India Post sold nearly a crore national flags through post offices and online channels in 10 ten days in 2022, indicating both the extraordinary demand and the ability of the new production model to meet it. India has recorded more than four times growth in the sale of khadi products in the last eight years of PM Modi's government. As for the global audience, the fabric has found much favour with local and overseas customers, especially after PM Modi raised the pitch for self-reliance.
Khadi has become a fashion choice not only in India but internationally too, thanks to innovation in fabrics. The sale of Khadi fabrics surged in 2023.