Veteran BJP leader sparks controversy by calling for saffron flag to replace India’s national flag
Palakkad: Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive member N. Sivarajan has sparked a major controversy after suggesting that the BJP’s saffron flag should replace the Indian national flag.
His remarks, made during a protest organised by the BJP in Palakkad, where the party accused both the LDF and UDF of insulting 'Bharat Mata', has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition and triggered protests.
During his speech, Sivarajan reportedly suggested that the Congress party should use a green flag and went on to mock its leadership. He stated that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, whom he accused of being ignorant of Indian history, should use the Italian flag.
He also claimed that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) could adopt a green-and-white flag, while advocating that the saffron flag of the BJP be officially recognised as India’s national flag.
The speech provoked immediate backlash. Congress workers staged a protest march in the town, soon followed by demonstrations by CPI(M) activists. The Congress demanded that sedition charges be filed against Sivarajan for making remarks that insult the national flag.
Congress district vice-president Sumesh Achuthan has reportedly filed a complaint with the District Police Chief, urging action under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which prohibits disrespect towards national symbols, including the flag.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
