BJP govt not to pursue Cong proposal on separate state flag

The new BJP government in Karnataka indicated on Thursday it would not pursue with the Centre, the previous Congress government's proposal for a separate state flag that was pending before it.

The government is also mulling over celebrating birth anniversary of prominent personalities in a "different way", as the present practice depicts them only as "community icons".

"Already it is clear in the flag code that- one flag for the country, having a cultural flag is different, having a constitutional flag is different.

Tricolor is the only constitutional flag. There was no opposition for having cultural flag, but constitutionally there is only one flag for the country and that is tricolor flag," Minister for Kannada and Culture C T Ravi said in response to a question.

Speaking to reporters, after holding meeting with officials on assuming office, he said, "... we can have Kannada flag as cultural flag, constitutionally there is no such provision for state flag according to flag code."
Asked whether the state government would not pursue the proposal that was before the central government, he merely said, "the country is one and we only think about unity."
With regard to celebration of these jayanti's there is plan to consult political leaders of all parties and leaders of various communities, he said," celebration of jayanti's is right, but there is need for a rethink about how it need to be celebrated."
"we have got suggestions regarding this, government will think about it."
"If we manage things professionally, the department can be profitable and create more jobs, that's our aim."