Ramdas takes flak over display of flag below CM's photo

The brochure distributed during the Independence Day celebrations here on Monday with the minister’s message created a controversy when MP Adagur H Vishwanath pointed out a serious faux pas –– the National Flag was printed below the photograph of Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.

The angry Lok Sabha member tore a copy of the brochure to register his protest and condemned the authorities and the minister. Vishwanath alleged that the design of the brochure, which had photographs of Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose, seemed to be influenced by RSS thoughts.

“No one is above the National Flag or the Nation. It should have occupied a prominent position in the cover page of the brochure. It is a violation of DPAR guidelines. It looks like the brochure was made in the minister’s office and not by the administration,” the MP rued while tearing the copy. MLA Tanveer Sait and BJP MLC Madhusudan also joined Vishwanath in slamming Ramdas.

But the minister was quick in accepting the mistake. Immediately after his speech, he hurried towards the annoyed group and admitted that it was a mistake, adding: “Such blunder will not be repeated.”

When the media questioned Deputy Commissioner P S Vastrad about it, he said the district administration did not print any copy.

Sources told Deccan Herald that the minister wanted a brochure on various government programmes and its success in district. But officials informed him that there was no such precedent. As officials did not evince any interest, Ramdas got the brochures printed himself.

“This is a mistake and I apologise for it. I am a staunch patriot and my father is an army and war veteran. RSS is also a patriotic institution. No one should speak low about the Sangh. I just wanted to convey my message through brochure,” he said.