Congress Leader Urges Bharat Ratna for Pingali Venkaiah, Designer of Indian Flag

Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to confer the Bharat Ratna posthumously on Pingali Venkaiah, the designer of the Indian National Flag. In his letter, Rao underlined Venkaiah's contribution to the freedom movement and said the nation has not adequately honoured his memory.

Mr. Hanumantha Rao also welcomed the Union government's decision to organise Tiranga rallies across the country on August 14, as part of the Independence Day celebrations. However, he noted that the role of Pingali Venkaiah in designing the national flag has not received the recognition it deserves.

Pingali Venkaiah, born in 1876 in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was a freedom fighter and a student of flags. He served in the Indian Army and later dedicated himself to the cause of independence. In 1921, he designed a Swaraj flag with red and green bands and a spinning wheel in the centre, a design that Mahatma Gandhi endorsed.

Over time, the design evolved into the tricolour that was formally adopted as the national flag of India. The final design, with saffron, white and green bands and a navy blue Ashoka Chakra, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947. Venkaiah's work is regarded as a seminal contribution to the visual identity of the Indian freedom struggle.

Venkaiah also presented his design at the Indian National Congress sessions in 1921 and subsequently travelled to different parts of the country to promote the flag. His efforts were part of a broader movement to create symbols of unity among Indians, transcending regional and linguistic differences. Even after his design was modified, he remained a tireless proponent of Indian self-rule.

In his letter, Mr. Hanumantha Rao said that honouring Venkaiah with the Bharat Ratna would be a fitting tribute to his service and his enduring contribution to the nation. He drew attention to the fact that Venkaiah's design had been personally approved by Mahatma Gandhi, who foresaw the flag as a unifying symbol for all Indians.

The Congress leader urged the Prime Minister to take prompt steps to confer the award. He expressed hope that the government would consider the historical importance of the flag designer and accord him the honour he earned.

The Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954, is India's highest civilian award. It can be conferred for exceptional service in any field, and has been awarded posthumously to several leaders, including freedom fighters such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Biju Patnaik.

Over the years, there have been repeated demands from various quarters to recognise Venkaiah's legacy. In 2021, the Union government released a commemorative postage stamp in his honour, and several civil society groups have called for a memorial at his birthplace.

The Tiranga rallies on August 14 are part of a national campaign to encourage citizens to hoist the flag and reflect on the country's journey. The Prime Minister's Office has not yet commented on the request made by Mr. Hanumantha Rao. Whether the demand will lead to action remains to be seen, but it has once again brought attention to the man who gave India its flag.