Chennai: Tamil Nadu Minister Rajmohan on Sunday said the state government would consider introducing a separate flag for Tamil Nadu, on the lines of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking to reporters on the occasion of Tamil Nadu Day, observed on November 1 to mark the formation of the erstwhile Madras State in 1956, Rajmohan said the government would consider taking steps towards introducing a distinct state flag.
"The state government would consider introducing a separate flag for Tamil Nadu, similar to those adopted by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and other States. The government would take steps in this regard in the future, on the lines of the recognition of November 1 as Tamil Nadu Day. A proposal to declare November 1 a public holiday across Tamil Nadu would be considered soon by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay," Rajmohan said.
Tamil Nadu was formed as Madras State on 1 November 1956, following the reorganisation of states along linguistic lines.
The demand to rename Madras State as Tamil Nadu was among the key demands raised by freedom fighter Sankaralinganar, who undertook a fast unto death seeking the change. He died during the protest in 1956.
On 18 July 1967, the Madras State Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to rename the state Tamil Nadu under the leadership of then Chief Minister C N Annadurai. The change came into effect on 14 January 1969.
