Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Nov 2: Karnataka is preparing to accord official state flag status to the traditional yellow-and-red Kannada flag, with plans to introduce a legal framework for its hoisting alongside the National Flag on government buildings and private establishments, including IT and BT companies, chief minister D K Shivakumar announced on Sunday.

In a significant move to formalise Karnataka's cultural identity, the government is also considering a redesign of the existing flag by adding a third colour and incorporating the state's emblem, the Gandaberunda, at its centre.

Addressing the gathering during the 71st Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the proposal would be discussed with legislators during the forthcoming winter session of the Karnataka Legislature at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi, scheduled from November 30 to December 11.

Public opinion would also be sought before a final decision was taken and the proposal forwarded to the Union government for approval.

Push for official state flag recognition

After hoisting the Kannada flag alongside the National Flag, Shivakumar said the government had already deliberated on granting official state flag status to it.

"Just now, you have witnessed the National Flag being hoisted. Beside that National Flag, I have just hoisted the Kannada flag. The government has already held discussions on granting official state flag status to this Kannada flag," he said.

Recalling the state's earlier efforts, he said the Cabinet had previously approved a proposal and submitted a request to the Central government seeking recognition, but the state had not received approval.

"Earlier, we had also taken a decision in the Cabinet and submitted a request to the Union government, but we did not receive recognition for it," he said.

"I will bring this up for discussion, take a decision in the Cabinet and introduce a legal framework. My government is committed to taking an official decision to ensure that this Kannada flag is hoisted alongside the National Flag on every building where the National Flag is hoisted," he added.

The chief minister said Karnataka aspired to have an officially recognised state flag representing the self-respect of Kannadigas, just as it had its own state anthem.

"Just as there is a state anthem dedicated to mother Karnataka, the daughter of Mother India, our aspiration is to have an official state flag that represents the self-respect of Kannadigas," he said.

He described the yellow-and-red flag as a symbol of Kannada sentiments, knowledge traditions, culture, religious harmony and peace, adding that official recognition would further strengthen Karnataka's identity within India's federal framework.

Flag redesign and mandatory display

Under the proposed redesign, another colour would be added to the traditional yellow-and-red combination, with the Karnataka state emblem, Gandaberunda, placed at the centre.

Shivakumar said the government was preparing to make the hoisting of the Kannada flag compulsory in government offices and was considering issuing directions requiring private establishments, including IT and BT companies, to display it.

The possibility of hoisting the Kannada flag atop Vidhana Soudha was also under discussion. The government had recently consulted legal experts on the matter, he said.

He stressed the need for clear guidelines governing the flag's design and specifying where and how it should be hoisted. The government would consider the views of legislators and the public before taking a final decision.

Historical background

The unofficial yellow-and-red Kannada flag was designed in the 1960s by Kannada activist and cultural champion 'Veera Senani' Ma Ramamurthy. It has since become a prominent symbol of Kannada identity and is widely hoisted during Rajyotsava celebrations every November 1, while Kannada activists also use it as a scarf.

In March 2018, the then Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah had proposed a separate state flag featuring yellow, white and red bands, with the Gandaberunda emblem at its centre. The proposal was forwarded to the Union government for approval but did not receive clearance.

Kannada language and education

Emphasising the importance of preserving Kannada, Shivakumar said language reflected a community's culture, identity and knowledge.

"Knowledge acquired through one's mother tongue is stronger and more enduring. Kannada should not remain merely an official language; it should become the language of our hearts," he said.

He urged parents and teachers to encourage children to learn and use Kannada in everyday life while acquiring other languages and skills and adapting to the digital era. Recalling the language's rich cultural heritage, he said Kannada had no geographical boundaries and highlighted the historical tradition of allowing children to choose their mother tongue even during British rule.

Describing Goddess Bhuvaneshwari as the presiding deity who protects Kannada, he said special prayers had been offered to her during the Rajyotsava celebrations.

"Protecting our breath, language, land and flag is the responsibility of every Kannadiga," he said, thanking Kannadigas living in India and abroad for their efforts to promote the language and culture.

Highlighting the government's education initiatives, Shivakumar said artificial intelligence training would be introduced for students from Classes 6 to 12. The government had ordered the recruitment of 15,000 teachers, launched 25,498 bilingual schools and established science laboratories in 250 government schools. Karnataka Public Schools were also being developed, with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds being utilised to improve government schools.

He further said 7% reservation had been introduced in professional education for students who had studied from Classes 1 to 10 and at the pre-university level in rural government schools, improving their opportunities to pursue courses such as engineering and medicine.

Earlier, Shivakumar hoisted the National and Kannada flags, reviewed the march past and received the salute from student contingents representing various schools. He also offered floral tributes to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari on the Vidhana Soudha premises.

Minister Madhu Bangarappa, chief secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh and other officials were present.

Karnataka Rajyotsava, celebrated on November 1, commemorates the formation of the state in 1956, when Kannada-speaking regions were brought together following the linguistic reorganisation of states.