Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah sets up 9-member panel for separate state flag; MHA rejects govt's proposal

Drawing flak after Karnataka government set up a panel of  nine-member to design state’s legally-accepted flag, KC Venugopal, state in-charge for Congress party, said he will seek a clarification from the state government on the issue. The nation has only one national flag, he said.

It is said that the Congres high-command is not happy with Karnataka government's state flag decision. 

Meanwhile, the home ministry has rejected the Karnataka government's proposal of having separate flag.  

A controversy erupted after Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah set up a team of nine-members in an order to have legally-accepted flag for the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party has dubbed the initiative as “anti-national”.

If Karnataka gets its own flag, it would be the second state in the country after Jammu and Kashmir which has already a flag.

A few days back, massive protests were staged for imposing Hindi in the state.

I will seek a clarification from state Govt, we have only one flag and that is the national flag: KC Venugopal,Congress Ktka incharge pic.twitter.com/bcHxyAfA6V

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 18, 2017

While talking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said the move has nothing to do with elections. He said if BJP is opposing the initiative, they are open to say that they are against a state flag.

It has nothing to do with elections. If BJP is opposed to it then can they say openly that they are against a state flag?: CM Siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/s2fYaQEq7H

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 18, 2017

The chief minister said,” Is there any provision in the constitution that prohibits a state from having a own flag?”

Is there any provision in the constitution that prohibits a state from having a flag?: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/VgZQWtBEn5

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 18, 2017

BJP leader and union minister Bandaru Dattatreya said that Congress leadership must clear its stance whether they are okay with the idea of separate flag for the state or not.

Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the move is against the constitution of India and such government should be dismissed immediately. He said President’s rule should be imposed in the state. 

This is against constitution,such govt should be dismissed immediately, President's rule should be imposed: Sanjay Raut on K'taka flag issue pic.twitter.com/nuqLCd24o8

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 18, 2017

Reacting on the issue, constitutional expert PP Rao said,"There is no provision in the Constitution for a separate flag. It only provides for national flag. but, There is no restriction in the constitution that state shall not have its own separate flag."

There is no provision in the Constitution, it only provides for national flag: Constitution Expert PP Rao on Karnataka flag issue pic.twitter.com/36g7PcpZKx

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 18, 2017

Also Read: Karnataka health department, tobacco major tie up to build super speciality hospitals sparks controversy with public health activists