Karnataka to grant official status to Kannada flag alongside national tricolour

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday announced that the Karnataka government is preparing to grant official recognition to the Kannada flag as the state's formal emblem. Under the proposed measure, government buildings across the state would be permitted to hoist the Kannada flag alongside the Indian tricolour, providing it with legal sanction.

The move represents an effort to reinforce regional identity and cultural heritage within the state administration. Officials indicated that the proposal would establish a statutory framework governing the display and protocol surrounding the Kannada flag on state properties.

Shivakumar's announcement comes as part of the government's broader initiatives to promote Kannada language and culture. The proposal is slated for deliberation during the forthcoming session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, where lawmakers will examine the draft legislation and administrative guidelines.

The Kannada flag, featuring the state's historical and cultural symbols, has been historically associated with regional pride. The official status would mark a formal institutional recognition of the flag's significance within the state apparatus.