Image Source: Chanakyaa TV
A controversy has erupted after the national flag was reportedly taken down from the flagpole at the CODISSIA campus in Coimbatore, where the Tamil Nadu government’s Startup TN conference was being held and replaced with the Startup TN flag.
The incident occurred during the inauguration of the two-day World Startup Conference, organised by the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (Startup TN) under the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday, 9 October 2025.
View this post on Instagram
Eyewitnesses and reports from the venue indicated that the national flag, which had been flying earlier, was lowered to make way for the Startup TN flag before the conference proceedings began. This action has sparked criticism on social media, with several users questioning whether the replacement of the national flag with an institutional flag on a government campus was appropriate.
When contacted, officials associated with the event said the issue would be looked into. However, no official clarification had been released at the time of reporting.
The World Startup Conference also saw the Chief Minister announce a ₹100-crore co-creation fund and release reports on the state’s innovation ecosystem. But the flag controversy has since overshadowed the proceedings, drawing sharp attention to protocol violations and the symbolic implications of replacing the Tricolour at a government-backed event.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personal.
