Karnataka government, on Thursday, took a historic decision to have separate State flag.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to discuss the recommendations of the nine-member flag committee. The committee had recommended yellow, red and white with the State emblem in the middle. The meeting was attended by representatives of Kannada organisations, littérateurs and official representatives.
After arriving at a consensus with regard to accepting the flag recommended by the expert committee, an elated Chief Minister said: “The long pending demand of having separate State flag has finally been realised with the support extended by all the concerned.”
Exhibiting the State flag, he said the “government, which felt the need of having separate flag, lent voice to the demand by setting up expert committee to decide on colour and emblem of the State flag.”
An expert committee was constituted following representation from renowned journalist and writer Patil Puttappa.
After examining the legal and Constitutional provisions, the committee submitted its report on February 6. “When the report was tabled in the State Cabinet, it was unanimously accepted. This further empowered me to take a final call on the issue after consulting leaders of Kannada organisations. Leaders of Kannada outfits agreed to the recommendations on the design of State flag,” he added.
In the tri-colour Stage flag, white symbolises peace with State emblem. While yellow symbolises the auspiciousness and well-being of Kannadigas, the red colour symbolises courage.
“The state government had no power to announce its State flag. A proposal in this regard will be sent to the union government. We will urge the centre to approve the proposal and make an official announcement at the earliest,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
If centre agrees to the proposal, Karnataka will be second state in the country to have a separate State flag, after Jammu and Kashmir. This is due to J&K's special status under the Constitution. “There is no opposition for States to have separate flag in the Constitution. But, the State flag will always fly below the National flag, as prescribed,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah.
