Karnataka govt. unveils State flag

• Karnataka government has unveiled the State flag for Karnataka. If approved by the Centre, Karnataka will be the second State to have a flag after Jammu and Kashmir. The proposal will be now sent to the Union Home Ministry for approval since a State has no powers to announce its own flag.
• The red-white-yellow flag has the State emblem at the centre. The State flag will fly below the national flag as prescribed.
• 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.

Analysis:

• Karnataka had an unofficial "Kannada flag" since the 1960s - the red-and-yellow flag is popular with the local people and many Kannada activists also wear it as a scarf.
• It is not used during national ceremonies like Republic Day or Independence Day, but people hoist it across the state on 1 November every year to mark the day the state was formed.
• For years, there has been a demand to recognise it as the state's official flag.
• India's central government insists that there is no provision in the constitution for a separate flag for any state
• In 2012, the state was ruled by the BJP and the then government had rejected a similar demand saying that having a separate flag would be "against the unity and integrity of the country".
• "By having a regional flag, no disrespect is being shown to the national flag. The Karnataka flag will naturally fly below the national flag. But yes, there are political implications of this regional sentiment being raised in an election year.

By: Vishal