A flag decoration created for Republic Day celebrations at RVITM Engineering College in Bengaluru has ignited widespread online discussions. The design, which was shared in a Reddit post, featured the Indian tricolour with Karnataka’s map replacing the Ashoka Chakra. This led to accusations of disrespecting the national flag, sparking a wave of criticism from online users.
One commenter expressed discomfort, saying, “However, I feel wrong in this. You just replaced the Ashoka Chakra,” while another raised concerns about its legality, asking, “Isn’t this defamation of the flag?”
Amid the growing controversy, a third-year National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadet from the college took to Reddit to address the issue. The cadet explained that the flag decoration was part of a traditional activity during NCC Republic Day events, a practice common in schools and colleges with NCC units. They clarified that the competition, which aims to judge the best flag decorations, often includes designs representing respective states or directorates.
The cadet emphasized that the intention behind the design was not to undermine national symbols or promote state supremacy. “The intention was to represent us as part of this beautiful nation,” the cadet wrote, further criticizing the original poster of the image for potentially trying to incite outrage and provoke online hate against Karnataka, Bengaluru, and Kannadigas.
In a broader defense, the cadet described the grand Republic Day celebration held at the college, which included flag hoisting, cultural programs, and a patriotic song performed by first-year cadets. The cadet reiterated that the NCC’s motto of “Unity and Discipline” emphasizes unity, not division.
While some users familiar with NCC traditions rallied in support, others remained critical, arguing that even creative expressions should honor the sanctity of national symbols.
Read also: