After 7 Years, Karnataka Government Renews Demand for Official Recognition of Kannada Flag: Minister Shivaraj Thangadagi Writes to Centre

BM TEAM

Bengaluru: After a gap of seven years, the Karnataka government has once again pressed for official recognition of the Kannada flag. Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Thangadagi has written to the Central government, requesting formal approval for the yellow-and-red Kannada flag.

Speaking to the media in Chitradurga, Minister Thangadagi stated, “The classical language status given to Kannada exists only in name. The current Kannada flag is not officially recognized. We have submitted a request to the Centre to grant it official status.”

He also revealed that a delegation led by him will soon travel to Delhi to meet Union Minister for Culture. The delegation plans to urge the Centre to not only grant official recognition to the Kannada flag but also release funds related to the classical language status granted to Kannada.

“I have written to the Centre seeking approval for the Kannada flag. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje have been approached to support this cause. I appeal to them to help secure recognition for the flag and ensure Kannada receives its rightful share of classical language grants. Tamil Nadu receives significantly higher allocations, but Kannada does not. By the end of July, we will meet Central ministers to request funding,” Thangadagi added.

This is not the first time the Karnataka government has demanded official status for the Kannada flag. Back in 2017, the Siddaramaiah-led government had submitted a similar request to the Centre. With the latest letter, the state government is once again mounting pressure on the Central government to act on this longstanding demand.