All companies, education centres to hoist Karnataka flag on Nov 1: DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has ordered all companies, educational institutions in the state to hoist the state flag on November 1 to mark Kannada Rajyotsava – the state formation day.

Shivakumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, “November 1 is important for Karnataka. It (Karnataka Rajyotsava) is a State day that we celebrate. As a Bengaluru Development Minister, I am ordering all companies, and education centres to hoist the Karnataka flag. 50% 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 Nov 1. I am warning pro-Kannada outfits to not take the law into their own hands on that day. But it is mandatory that all institutions and companies should host Kannada flag that day.”

In February this year, the Congress-led government tabled the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Bill 2024 to mandate 60 per cent Kannada on name boards of various establishments in the state, which will also have to display content in the language in the upper half of the signage.

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The Bill was introduced as an ordinance earlier in January after pro-Kannada protesters resorted to violence in parts of Bengaluru over lack of Kannada on name boards.

Last year, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike held a massive protest accusing Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials of failing to implement a 2018 circular mandating 60 per cent Kannada on signage across the state.