Pro-Kannada groups protest over Rahul Gandhi’s image on ‘Karnataka flag’
Pro-Kannada groups have demanded an apology from the Congress for using Rahul Gandhi’s image on the unofficial Karnataka flag during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Several pro-Kannada organisations have lashed out at the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka. The pro-Kannada outfits have warned the Congress not to use the former party chief’s image on the ‘Karnataka flag’.
The unofficial Kannada flag or the Karnataka flag is a strip of yellow and red, that symbolises both Kannada and Karnataka.
On Sunday, ‘Karnataka flags’ were seen waving during the party’s yatra in Mysuru where the pictures of Rahul Gandhi were seen printed on the state flag.
The pro-Kannada groups have also demanded an apology from the Congress for printing Rahul Gandhi’s image on the flag.
“I condemn the photo on the Kannada flag. When [Congress leader] Siddaramaiah was in power, he changed the Karnataka flag. That time all Kannadigas protested, then he changed it. Now, Rahul Gandhi’s photo [on the flag] is a shame to Congress,” Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashok told India Today.
Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Mysuru city on Monday, October 3 at around 6:30 am, hours after Rahul Gandhi delivered one of the highlights of the yatra so far. Rahul Gandhi delivered a speech amid a heavy downpour, and visuals of him addressing party workers, drenched in rain, went viral.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which began on September 7 from Kanyakumari, has already completed 624 km and is headed to Karnataka’s Mandya.
Karnataka's #BharathAikyataYatre gains further strength with the arrival of Smt. Sonia Gandhi.
Accorded a warm welcome to her upon the arrival at Mysore Airport.#BharatJodoYatra pic.twitter.com/MyPYdhRshe— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) October 3, 2022
Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi has arrived in Karnataka to take part in the Bharat Jodo Yatra on October 6. This will be the first time the current Congress chief will be joining the yatra.
The yatra has entered a crucial phase with the Karnataka leg as the state goes to polls next year. This is the first time the yatra is passing through a BJP-ruled state.
