Sources from Bengaluru have stated that the Congress government in Karnataka has set up a panel that will explore how the state can legally have its own separate flag. Right now Jammu and Kashmir, which has special status under Article 370 of the Constitution, is the only state in the country that is permitted its own flag.
According to sources the move comes ahead of assembly elections in Karnataka next year and amid protests by pro-Kannada activists against what they have called the imposition of Hindi in the state by the BJP ruled Centre. The BJP does not support a separate flag for the state.
Meanwhile it was stated that the five years ago, when the BJP was in power in Karnataka, it had rejected a suggestion that a red and yellow flag used in the state for cultural events be declared the state's official flag and further it was stated that the nine member panel, which will include bureaucrats and academics, will also suggest a design for a state flag.
