Here is why there's nothing wrong in having separate flag for Karnataka

The controversy regarding the State government constituting a 9-member committee to design a State flag and to get legal status to it is quite unnecessary. This is in response to the demand from language and culture activists in the State. The Committee is instructed to get a flag designed and prepare a report regarding the steps to be taken to legalise it.  BJP and JD(S) have expressed strong opposition to this move of the government.

Shiv Sena leaders from Maharashtra also have spit fire at State Congress government and at the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. There are contradicting reports about Congress high command with Siddaramaiah’s decision. Those who are opposing State’s decision to have a separate flag are arguing that there should be one national flag and there is no provision for states to have separate flags.

Shiv Sena has gone a step ahead and alleged that Karnataka is propagating separatist theory and has recommended that the Karnataka government must be dismissed for disturbing the unity of the country and President’s rule imposed. However, the Constitution does not restrict separate flag for states. The Chief Minister has advised all those who are opposing to first get themselves educated about flag code.

But the BJP and JD(S) are opposing the initiation for another reason: that the decision is to do with political gains. The Opposition is anxious that the ruling Congress government in the State is instigating the language sentiments in public and taking advantage of it as the elections are approaching. However, they should set aside the political gain and loss and look into from another angle. The federal system of our country provides a certain sovereignty within limits to every state.

Even the Constitution grants supremacy within the State. Hence, it is not illegal to have one’s own State anthem, state flag. Any state can have its flag and anthem and there is no restriction imposed both in the Constitution and flag code.

It is mandatory that the state flag cannot fly higher than national flag. Under this condition any state having its own flag does not amount to separatist attitude. The strength of a federal system is that it accepts unity in diversity. It is in this sense that every state has its own state anthem and state flag.

It is just that the state flags do not have the legal recognition. Across the globe several federal systems do have separate flags for states and they also have legal status. From this point of view, the state flag issue should be considered under the legal and Constitutional framework and not from the view of suppressing the sovereignty of a state within the federal system.

In the rush to criticise the government, political leaders must not degrade the existence of Kannada identity and the dignity of the State.

• Separate flag for State
• State flag not separatist
• Karnataka