Saffron flag row: MLA Vedavyas Kamath targets Congress, slams Ramanath Rai

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 24, 2026: Former minister Ramanath Rai has once again displayed what he described as his “allergy” to the saffron colour, said Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath.

Questioning the controversy, Kamath asked which flag should be used at religious programmes of the Hindu community. “Green flags are used in mosques—does that make it wrong as well?” he asked.

Referring to the recent Paryaya inauguration in Udupi, Kamath said Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar did not attend the event and instead the district deputy commissioner inaugurated it. “Had Lakshmi Hebbalkar been present, she would have been handed the saffron flag to inaugurate the Paryaya,” he said.

Throwing a challenge to the Congress leadership, Kamath said, “If Congress leaders have the courage, let them try this. Do any Congress leaders or workers have the guts to wear saffron and enter the Congress office?”

These remarks were made by Vedavyas Kamath, MLA of Mangaluru South.