Since the 1960s, the Karnataka state has an unofficial "Kannada flag" - the red-and-yellow flag
Flag is not used at national ceremonies such as Republic Day or Independence Day.
The Kannada flag is two-coloured. It was designed by Kannada writer and activist Ma Ramamurthy for the Kannada Paksha political party.
The yellow and red colours on the flag represent Arrishna (Turmeric) and Kumkuma (Vermilion), which reflect the Karnataka state and Kannada people's auspiciousness and well-being.
The flag acquired popularity after well-known Kannada actor RajKumar waved it in a popular Kannada song.
By early 2000, the flag had become a permanent fixture in Karnataka.
The chief minister hoists the flag on 1 November, every year, to mark Karnataka Formation Day.
The flag does not symbolise separatist ideology and has been adopted by Kannada-centric institutions and private individuals across the state.
The flag appears on the official website of the Karnataka government.
Even though the flag was used at official functions, it had no legal standing.