Should the Congress Flag Have Been Displayed Instead of the Saffron Flag in the Paryaya Procession? Sunil Kumar Questions
Karkala: Former minister V. Sunil Kumar has strongly questioned whether it was appropriate to display the Congress flag instead of the traditional saffron flag during the Udupi Paryaya procession.
Reacting to the letter written by the Udupi District Congress Committee to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar seeking action against the District Commissioner for participating in the Udupi Paryaya, Sunil Kumar said the move reflects the petty mindset of Congress leaders. He expressed anger, asking whether abandoning the saffron flag and displaying the Congress or green flag in a Hindu religious programme alone amounts to secularism.
He pointed out that Harish Shetty, President of the Human Rights and Legal Cell of the Udupi District Congress Committee, had written to the CM and DCM demanding legal action against the District Commissioner. “We have seen District Commissioners participating in the Udupi Paryaya procession for decades. Why did Congress notice a ‘fault’ only this time? Finding faults in Hindu traditions to appease minorities has become a habit of the Congress,” he alleged.
Sunil Kumar said the District Commissioner has already issued a clarification regarding his participation in the procession from Jodukatte to the Sri Krishna Math. He further questioned how participating in the Udupi Paryaya could be against the principles of secularism.
Accusing the Congress of misinterpreting the Constitution and its ideals, Sunil Kumar said such actions have become routine for the party. “Like the saying ‘elder sister’s mistake followed by the younger’, Udupi District Congress leaders are repeating the same mistake committed by state-level leaders. Do Congress leaders have the courage to similarly find faults in Muslim religious programmes and demand action against officials?” he asked.
