Karnataka Congress asserts ‘Kannada first’ stand again, mandates hoisting state flag on Nov 1

Asserting its ‘Kannada first’ stand again, the Karnataka government on Friday said all organisations should hoist the Karnataka flag on November 1, to celebrate the formation of the state. He also said pro-Kannada outfits should not take law into their hands on the day.

Addressing presspersons, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said, “November 1 is an important day for Karnataka, it is Karnataka Rajyotsava. As minister for Bengaluru development, I am ordering all companies, and education centres to hoist the Karnataka flag. 50 per cent of the people are from outside the state; it is important for us to celebrate such a day. Kannada language should be respected. Karnataka flag should be mandatorily hoisted on the buildings on November 1,” ANI reported.

Shivakumar advised firms and educational institutions to also host cultural programmes on the day to celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava. The deputy CM also warned pro-Kannada outfits against wanton violence on the day. “I am warning pro-Kannada outfits to not take the law into their own hands on that day,” he said.

This is the second such move by Congress-led government in Karnataka to assert its pro-Kannada stand. In July, the state government introduced a Bill providing job reservation for Kannadigas in private establishments.

The Siddaramiah -led government introduced the State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, providing reservation for Kannadigas. As per the bill, any industry, factory or other establishments should appoint 50 per cent of local candidates in management categories and 70 per cent in non-management categories. However, the government had to put the bill on hold following backlash from industrial bodies.