MCK Mayor is also not taking any measures to hoist the national flag on Telangana State’s second-tallest monumental flagpole
Declare the Old High School and Circus grounds free entry for visitors, and MCK should maintain the parks to uphold national pride and patriotism
KARIMNAGAR, AUGUST 10, 2026: At the time when the country is celebrating the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ and the countdown to the 80th Independence Day celebrations, the 150-feet tall flagpole, erected at the sprawling Government Old High School grounds in the heart of Karimnagar town, is without the Tricolour for several months.
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call to hoist the tricolour as part of ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ from August 9 to 17, the district authorities have failed to hoist the tricolour at Telangana’s second-tallest monumental flagpole in Karimnagar, which now stands bare, with the Tricolour missing. Ironically, the BJP, which talks about patriotism and national pride, has attained the Mayor post of the MCK, but is not taking any measures to hoist the Tricolour on the tallest flag post in Karimnagar.
Installed with much fanfare in February 2019, the flagpole was envisioned as a landmark to instil nationalism and attract tourists. The Municipal Corporation of Karimnagar has spent a whopping sum of Rs 76 lakhs on the project, and the national flag fluttered proudly atop the structure.
However, the pole has remained mostly flagless, with as many as 36 flags either torn or blown away due to extreme weather conditions. It was a matter of pride to see the flag from a distance. It stood tall among the towering buildings of the town, but it is appalling to see that the MCK has failed to put up the flag. The one fluttering earlier was shredded.
The national flag to be hoisted on the flag post would not be lowered even at sunset, as it would be illuminated. Ironically, when the flag was fluttering, the illumination was also not seen at the flag pole during the nighttime. Despite repeated appeals from residents to use wind-resistant fabric to withstand the elements, no concrete action has been taken.
The Lok Satta Udyama Samstha Karimnagar district leaders alleged that the MCK was showing more interest in making money by encroaching and leasing out the Old High School grounds and Circus Grounds to private parties, who were fleecing the people of the town with exorbitant entry fees. The MCK authorities are not taking any measures to hoist the national flag on the tallest flag post.
How can MCK lease out the government premises where the tallest national flag post is installed?, the Lok Satta leaders questioned and demanded that the government to declare the parks as entry free to respect the national pride, as it houses the National flag. Everyone has the right to witness the fluttering of the national flag free of cost, they reminded.
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