Detractors of the flag movement, including Motilal Nehru, soon hailed the "Swaraj" flag as a symbol of national unity. Thus, the flag became a significant structural component of the institution of India. In contrast to the subdued responses of the past, the British Indian government took greater cognisance of the new flag, and began to define a policy of response. The British parliament discussed public use of the flag, and based on directives from London, the British Indian government threatened to withdraw funds from municipalities and local governments that did not prevent the display of the "Swaraj" flag. The "Swaraj" flag became the official flag of Congress at the 1931 meeting. However, by then, the flag had already become the symbol of the independence movement.