Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is preparing to issue an order this month asking private institutions to also hoist the red-and-yellow Kannada flag, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Sunday, as the state moves to give the flag official status as its naada dhwaja.
Besides flying the flag on all government offices, the government is considering making it mandatory at institutions that receive government support, Shivakumar said. He was speaking at the 71st Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations at Kanteerava Stadium and to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence and near the Bhuvaneshwari statue at Vidhana Soudha.
The government will prepare the legal framework, policy and rules needed to grant the flag official recognition and fly it with dignity beside the national flag, and these will be discussed in the Belagavi session, he said. Guidelines on how Kannadigas should respect the flag are also being drawn up.
Shivakumar said the Cabinet had earlier decided on the matter and sent a proposal to the Centre, but recognition had not been granted so far. The government was committed to taking a fresh Cabinet decision, bringing in a law and passing a resolution to the Centre, he said, adding that the issue would be opened up for public and legislators’ debate ahead of the winter session.
Asked whether the flag’s colours would be changed or new colours added, he said the existing colours would continue. Responding to a question about the three-colour flag proposed under the earlier Siddaramaiah government, which the Centre did not approve, he said the present flag, accepted by the people, would remain.
In his Rajyotsava address, Shivakumar also said the government was setting up 10,000 Bharat Jodo youth associations at panchayat and ward level for people aged 16 to 35, to encourage talent in sports, arts and culture.
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