State flag panel adopts wait and watch policy, for now

The Flag committee members decided not to rush with regard to decisions regarding the State flag  The Yellow and red flag has been registered by the Kannada Paksha with the Election Commission way back in 1991  The Paksha has threatened to drag the government to court, if the latter goes ahead with its decision to declare the Yellow and red flag as the State flag

The first meeting of the State Flag Committee was held on Thursday and legal aspects that could cause hurdles in declaring the State Flag was discussed. Questions like will the Kannada Paksha that has been using it all these while as its flag object? If in case they object how to resolve the issue? If in case the flag is already registered with the Election Commission (EC) can it still be declared as State Flag and such other questions were discussed, reports Kannada Prabha.

The general secretary of Kannada and Culture Department Chakravarthi Mohan presided the meeting. It was decided to hold the next meeting after the Belagavi assembly session and to seek legal advice by then.

It may be recalled here that State President of Kannada Paksha, Purushottam had written a letter to the State government in July stating that the red and yellow flag has been registered with the Election Commission way back in 1991 and if the government declares it a State Flag, the Paksha would go to the High Court. This aspect was discussed in detail at the meeting.

The committee members decided not to rush with regard to decisions regarding the State flag as it may lead to untoward complications at the Belagavi session. The Kannada Paksha was registered in 1991 but it is to be investigated if the Paksha has registered the flag too. If in case it has registered, then legal solutions to the problem must be sought it was decided.

Kannada Development Authority chairman Prof SG Siddaramaiah said the first meeting was only to look into the possibilities. No hasty decision will be taken. Only after the Belagavi session the next meeting will be held.

Dr Manu Baligar, president of Kannada Sahitya Parishath said the State Flag issue cannot be rushed and a decision will be taken after holding meetings.