CM convinces Venugopal why forming a committee is essential for State Flag. BJP seems a little confused about how to counter Congress on the State Flag issue. BJP invited the wrath of pro-Kannada outfits and public for its protest against State Flag. Union State Minister for Home Kiran Rijiju agreed that Hindi is not the national language.
The Kannada identity against BJP’s Hindutva is gaining momentum. Kannadigas have a unique trait of going beyond caste, religion when it comes to language and state issues. The committee for State Flag has been formed in line with this trait. The State Flag is not alternative to national flag. Hence it is beneficial for Congress to take up the State Flag issue. The Chief Minister convinced State in charge Venugopal in these lines, reported Kannada Prabha.
The State in charge team visited the CM at his residence on Friday for breakfast and Siddaramaiah used the opportunity to explain to the team why State Flag issue is important. Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru the Kannada identity is threatened for various reasons. The Kannadigas have a righteous anger about it. No political Party has explored it and hence it is not a political issue. For this reason BJP is daring to support nationalism, one nation one flag concepts.
However, Kannadigas though nationalists, also have a strong stand when it comes to Kannada identity. Without realising this BJP is in a hurry to protest against the State Flag committee. The Kannadigas are unhappy with BJP for protesting the State Flag and are subconsciously appreciating Congress’ stand. Hence, at this stage if Congress backtracks, it will cost the Party dearly. The Party has to support the Kannada identity and the regionality, CM told the team, it is reported.
The State Government is working in support of Kannada identity. It has made it compulsory to teach Kannada at Central Schools. It has made it mandatory to sing State Song at all government and private schools. It has made Kannada films screening compulsory at multiplexes. Continuing the support for Kannada identity will benefit Congress. Retracting the State Flag committee at this stage will be harmful for Congress, he explained. Responding to this Venugopal agreed the argument but advised the Chief Minister to tread carefully with issues relating to nationality.
On the other hand BJP seems a little confused about how to counter Congress on the State Flag issue. It is beyond doubt that Siddaramaiah placed the proposal of State Flag as a political strategy, as elections are fast approaching. Even if the flag does not get the legal status, it is true that the ordinary Kannadiga has felt the need to have a State Flag. Many are also angry with BJP for opposing the proposal in a hurry. BJP invited the wrath of pro-Kannada outfits for this. Congress may further explore this is what is worrying the senior BJP leaders.
Meanwhile the Kannada Development Authority has taken rather strongly towards IAS officers who are not using Kannada in their day to day administration. It has issued notices recommending disciplinary action against officials of Women and Child Welfare Department, Department for Differently abled, Senior Citizens Empowerment.
The Women and Child Welfare Minister Umashree herself had written to the KDA complaining against the anti-Kannada attitude of Uma Mahadevan, chief secretary. KDA has since written to chief secretary Subhash Kuntia to take action against Uma Mahadevan. She is the second bureaucrat against whom action has been initiated for anti-Kannada attitude. Earlier Secretary to Public Industries Department Srivatsa Krishna was transferred to Central Government for his anti-Kannada attitude.
At the Parliament in New Delhi MP B K Hariprasad argued that Hindi is not the national language but only an official language and imposing Hindi on south India is not acceptable. Responding to this Union State Minister for Home Kiran Rijiju agreed that Hindi is not the national language and the Central Government has no objection to states using local languages. He also assured that the Centre has no intention of imposing Hindi or suppressing loca languages.
B K Hariprasad also urged to include Tulu, Konkani and Kodava in the 8th section of the Constitution, for which Union State Minister for Home Kiran Rijiju said a committee has already been formed to examine including 38 languages to 8th section.
Interestingly, when B K Hariprasad was arguing about the 3 language formula, Congress member Jairam ramesh intervened and said the 3 language formula is implemented only in South whereas in the north it is only 2 language formula with Hindi and English and other local languages are not recognised.
