Karnataka: Procession of mega flag triggers row

HUBBALLI: A procession of 2,000m long national flag, led by former minister Santosh Lad and participated by around 5,000 people, has drawn flak by people, including netizens, in Kalghatgi on Sunday. The district administration has filed a case against the organisers.
The procession, which was taken out from Tadas Cross till the tahsildar’s office, comprised men, women, children and college students who togher occupied the entire stretch of road. Passersby showed flowers arranged by the organisers en route. Thousands of people took a selfie with the mega flag in the backdrop. Children’s Hejje Mela of Shiggatti village was also part of the rally.
As Covid norms, like maintaining social distancing, were thrown to the wind, the videos and phots of the procession went viral on social media, with netizens trolling the organisers.
When contacted, Lad told TOI that the event was organised to mark of 75th Independence Day. “As per our plan, about 1,500 people were supposed to carry the flag while ensuring Covid norms. As the information about the event was put out on social media, a lot more people voluntarily joined, and we lost control over them. I apologise on behalf of the participants. I would like to know the government’s action against ministers who had taken thousands of their supporters to their oath-taking ceremony in Bengaluru. Even the Prime Minister had attracted crowds during the recent assembly elections in the northern states,” he added.
Dharwad DC Nitesh Patil said that organisers had not obtained any permission for the procession. “So police have registered an FIR against them under Section 5(4) of Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act and Section 269 and 270 of IPC 1860. It’s learnt that many had not worn face masks and maintained social distance,” he added.