KS Eshwarappa’s remarks came after saffron groups clashed with pro-hijab protesters in Karnataka.
Bangalore:
Senior BJP leader and Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday claimed that ‘saffron flag‘ (Saffron Flag), may become the national flag at some point in the future.
However, he said that the tricolor is now the national flag, and it should be respected by all.
“Hundreds of years ago Shri Ramchandra and Maruti had saffron flags on their chariots. Did our country have tricolor flag then? Now it (tricolor) is fixed as our national flag, what respect should it give, should be food in this country There is no question about it,” said Mr. Eshwarappa.
Responding to a question from journalists on whether the saffron flag can be hoisted at the Red Fort, he said, “Not today, someday in the future.”
‘Hindu’ is being discussed in the country today. Idea:‘ and ‘Hindutva’. Once upon a time people used to laugh when we used to say that Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya, are we not building it now? Similarly, at some point in the future, after 100 or 200 or 500 years, the saffron flag may become the national flag. I do not know.”
Further stating that now the tricolor has been constitutionally accepted as the national flag, the minister said, it should be respected, and those who do not respect it will be anti-nationals.
“…we are the people who hoist the saffron flag, not today or in the future Hindu religion will ever come to this country, at that time we will hoist it at the Red Fort, because now the tricolor is our national flag, now there is doubt about it and we all respect that.”
Mr Eshwarappa was responding to claims by state Congress president DK Shivakumar that students changed the tricolor to saffron flag at Government First Grade College in Shivamogga during an anti-hijab protest on Tuesday.
Calling Mr. Shivakumar’s claims false, Mr. Eshwarappa, who hails from Shivamogga, charged it as an attempt to create division between Hindus and Muslims.
“DK Shivakumar is a liar, let him prove it. Yes, the saffron flag was hoisted there, but the national flag was not lowered. The saffron flag can be hoisted anywhere, but not by lowering the national flag, did not happen and never will.” The national flag was not removed, only the flag was used.”
Shivamogga College officials and police officials have also clarified that the national flag was not lowered to raise the saffron flag.
“The pillar was empty, some people put up a saffron flag, later they removed it,” he said.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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