Tamil Nadu minister calls for separate state flag
Minister Aadhav Arjuna suggested a state flag to promote Tamil identity, prompting a reaction from the BJP.
Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna said on Sunday that the state should have its own flag to highlight the Tamil language, according to The Hindu. Speaking at a meeting in Chennai to honour Tamil scholars on Tamil Nadu Day, Arjuna proposed that a law be passed to establish the flag.
The minister suggested that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay should hoist the flag on November 1 and July 18. Arjuna stated that the flag should be flown at every home and should hold a status comparable to the national flag to celebrate the Tamil people.
Minister Rajmohan told the media on Sunday that the state government would consider introducing a separate flag, similar to those used by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. He added that following the recognition of November 1 as Tamil Nadu Day, the government intends to take further steps regarding a distinct flag.
The demand has drawn criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vinod P Selwam. Writing on X, Selwam accused the minister of encouraging a separatist mindset by pitting Tamil and Indian identities against each other.
Selwam also questioned the consistency of the minister's stance, asking if the demand for Tamil would extend to churches and mosques as it is in temples. He stated that Tamil identity does not diminish under the Indian Tricolour.