Home ministry writes to CS over 'disrespect' to national flag

The ministry of home affairs has asked the state chief secretary to take appropriate action over the ‘disrespect’ shown to the national flag on the premises of the regional commissioner’s office here. It has said that the action taken may be informed to the complainant.

Suraj Kanbarkar, an activist of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), in his complaint to the home ministry on December 2 last year, had complained that disrespect was shown to the national flag as the Kannada flag was hoisted near it.

He had said that the flag code had been violated as the tricolour was hoisted in the morning and downed in the evening as per the procedure, whereas the Kannada flag remained hoisted round the clock.

Complaints to the chief secretary had not yielded results despite still photos and videos being submitted, Kanbarkar said.

The home ministry, in its letter dated July 19, 2017, asked the chief secretary to take appropriate action as per rules.

Veteran Kannada activist Ashok Chandargi said the MES activist had misguided the home ministry.

The national flag code has not been violated as the national flag and the Kannada flag were hoisted almost 50 metres apart. The national flag was atop the building, while the Kannada flag was on the ground, in front of the regional commissioner’s office. This is unlike the old building of the Belagavi City Corporation, where the national flag and the saffron flag are hoisted in close proximity.

He said Kannada activists too would write to the chief secretary regarding the ground reality, besides providing still photos and videos.

Kannada activist Deepak Gudgyanatti and others have filed a complaint against Kanbarkar at the Market police station over ‘activities attempting to create linguistic disharmony’ and ‘anti-state posts’ on social media.

Earlier, a delegation of Kannada activists held a meeting with Police Commissioner T G Krishna Bhatta and urged him to take action against Kanbarkar.