Tamil Nadu’s demand for a separate flag is over 50 years old

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Then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi along with his wife Dayalu Ammal inaugurating the flower show at Kodaikanal on May 21, 1990. | Photo Credit: Government of Tamil Nadu

Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna’s recent call for a separate flag for Tamil Nadu is nothing new to the State. Former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had made a similar demand in 1970. Mr. Arjuna made his suggestion on November 1, 2026 when the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led government celebrated it as Tamil Nadu Day.

Fifty-six years ago, when Karunanidhi made an attempt, he and his party - the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) - were considered important by the then Congress regime, led by Indira Gandhi, at the Centre.

Tamil Nadu InFocus / Tamil Nadu / M. Karunanidhi (1924-2018) / Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

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