‘சுதந்திர தினத்தன்று மாநில முதல்-அமைச்சர்கள் தேசியக் கொடியேற்றும் உரிமையை பெற்றுத் தந்தவர் கலைஞர்’ - கனிமொழி எம்.பி.

According to a report by Dina Thanthi, DMK Member of Parliament Kanimozhi Karunanidhi stated that it was her father, the late former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who was instrumental in securing the right for state Chief Ministers to hoist the national flag during Independence Day celebrations. Kanimozhi made these remarks while reflecting on the historical contributions of the DMK leadership to state autonomy and federal rights in India.

Historically, the practice of state Chief Ministers hoisting the national flag on Independence Day was not always standard across all Indian states. In 1974, M. Karunanidhi, then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, wrote to the then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, advocating for the right of state leaders to perform the flag-hoisting ceremony, a role previously reserved primarily for Governors. The request was subsequently granted, establishing a precedent that has since been followed across the country.

Kanimozhi’s comments come amidst ongoing discussions regarding the balance of power between the Union government and state governments in India. By highlighting this specific historical achievement, she sought to underscore the DMK's long-standing commitment to strengthening the role of elected state representatives within the national framework. The statement serves as a reminder of the evolving protocols of Indian federalism and the influence of regional leaders on national ceremonial practices.