'Nationalism Trumps Sub-Nationalism But State Pride Important': Professor Who Recommended New Karnataka Flag

Last Updated:November 01, 2024, 11:36 IST

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has ordered all companies and educational institutions in the state to hoist the state flag on November 1 to mark ‘Kannada Rajyotsava’ --- Karnataka’s formation day

All companies and educational institutions in the state have been asked to hoist the state flag on November 1. (ANI)

The debate over Karnataka’s state flag has begun once again as the Congress government has ordered that all government offices, educational institutions, and IT-BT companies must hoist the symbolic state flag on November 1 to mark ‘Kannada Rajyotsava’ — the state’s formation day.

Prof SG Siddaramaiah, the former chairperson of the Karnataka Development Authority (KDA) who recommended the new flag for Karnataka in 2018 during Siddaramaiah’s first term as chief minister, noted that while the state flag unveiled at that time did not receive approval from the Centre, there remains a need for a state flag acceptable to all. “Kannadigas should feel pride in hoisting a flag of their own," he said.

“The USA has 50 states, each with their own flag, yet American pride in their national flag remains undiminished. In the same way, why can’t Karnataka have its own flag? Sub-nationalism will never supersede nationalism; it will only strengthen us as Indians who take pride in their region," the professor told News18.

According to the former KDA chairman, the current flag unfurled on important occasions, particularly on Rajyotsava, is not legally Karnataka’s state flag.

“The flag in yellow and red actually belongs to a pro-Kannada political party called Kannada Paksha and, technically, cannot be considered the official Karnataka flag," he explained. The present yellow and red flag was originally designed by Kannada writer and activist Ma Ramamurthy in the mid-1960s.

In 2018, the previous Congress government set up a nine-member committee to finalise a design for Karnataka’s flag and unveiled it with much fanfare. The flag comprises three horizontal bands representing wealth (yellow), peace (white), and valour (red). Centred on the flag is the Gandaberunda, a mythological two-headed bird symbolising strength, and the Ashoka Chakra, placed within the state government’s official emblem.

The design was intended to symbolise regional pride and cultural identity. The then Karnataka government submitted this proposal to the Union Home Ministry, where it remains pending as the Centre is yet to approve it. Recently, the Karnataka High Court also dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking a separate flag for Karnataka.

While this ‘tricolour’ was viewed as a symbol of Kannada identity by many, others criticised it as an affront to patriotism. So far, Jammu & Kashmir is the only UT to have its own flag, leading some to question the need for such regional assertion within a united country.

“It’s important that we take pride in our state and fly the Karnataka flag with pride, as it represents our culture, unity, and respect for our state and nation. The Karnataka flag is always flown below the national flag, as our country comes first," said a senior Congress leader.

The former KDA chairman explained that to overcome the legal hurdles over which flag should represent Karnataka, he urged all Kannada parties and political outfits to adopt the Karnataka tricolour unveiled in 2018 as their own flag. This, he suggested, would avoid legal issues and encourage wider acceptance, distinguishing it from the flag associated with Kannada Paksha.

“If all the parties and outfits supporting Karnataka and Kannada adopt the design of three colours —yellow, red, and white with the Gandaberunda in the centre, as cleared by the earlier flag committee —it would bring uniformity, enhance Kannadiga pride, and provide an identity we can all be proud of. While we cannot officially have it now, we can adopt it as ours individually," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has ordered all companies and educational institutions in the state to hoist the state flag on November 1.

“November 1 is important for Karnataka. It’s a day we celebrate as Karnataka Rajyotsava. As Bengaluru development minister, I am ordering all companies and educational centres to hoist the Karnataka flag. With 50 per cent people here from outside the state, it’s important to celebrate such a day. The Kannada language should be respected, and the Karnataka flag should be mandatorily hoisted on buildings," he instructed.

News politics 'ism Trumps Sub-ism But State Pride Important': Professor Who Recommended New Karnataka Flag