Student's post against Karnataka flag sparks row

Bengaluru: In the backdrop of campaigns being run across the state to express affinity towards the regional language, culture and flag, a non domicile engineering student got into serious trouble after he called for removal of the state flag from college premises.

A third year computer science student had e-mailed a letter to the Principal demanding a removal of the Karnataka flag hoisted at RV College of Engineering (RVCE). “The presence of the Karnataka flag at many places around the campus compromises our stand of being a sovereign institute,” he had stated. He also requested that the state flag be replace by national Tricolour.

Principal Dr K.N. Subramanya told Deccan Chronicle that he had asked the student to meet him personally to discuss the issue once he resumes classes, as the letter was sent in July when the student was pursuing his internship abroad. “The student himself even came up to me and apologized for the action after e-mailing me an apology on August 5. It never appeared to me as if it was done intentionally,” he said. The apology letter read that he had “no intention of hurting anyone’s sentiment.”

The student, who hails from Bihar, got targeted and shamed on social media with pro-Kannada activists and a group of students venting their anger. As on Friday, some students even called for his expulsion. Reacting to the latest development, Dr Subramanya promised to ensure that no controversies arise depending on the “late and past” action. The principal also shared the fact that even north Indian students try to pick up and communicate in Kannada at the campus.

A student pointed out that events such as Kannada Karanji, Kannada Kali and Kannada Lipi are organised on the RVCE campus for non domicile students to help them learn about the culture of the state.