An Indian origin student, Adhish R Wali made it to the headlines after he unfurled the Karnataka flag during his graduation ceremony in London.

Photographs from the event which took place at the City University of London attracted social media frenzy, with many, including elected representatives from the state lauding the boy’s actions. Adhish hails from Bidar in Karnataka. 

“I graduated with an MS in Management from City University of London – Bayes Business School (Cass). A moment of pride as I unfurled our Karnataka state flag during the ceremony in London, UK,” Wali said while sharing a video from the brief moment.

On social media, Wali describes himself as a London Youth Council, Student Union Leader and the first Kannagida to win student union Elections in the UK.

Dr K Sudhakar, minister for health and family welfare, Karnataka who shared the video applauded the student saying, “A student from Bidar Adhish has unfurled the Karnataka flag during his graduation ceremony in London. It is a matter of pride for all Kannadigas.”

Some others, however, thought it was a sub-nationalistic move in a distasteful spirit that undermined the respect given to his country. “Please cancel his Indian passport. He can then go to his nearest passport office to get a new one for whichever country flag he wants to unfurl. Such actions should not be tolerated on foreign soil,” another social media user said.

I graduated with MS in Management from City University of London – Bayes Business School (Cass). A moment of pride as I unfurled our Karnataka state flag during the ceremony in London, UK.
– ARW #ARW😎 #karnataka #bidar #kannada #kannadiga #london #uk #England @bidarupdates pic.twitter.com/Hofb01W0WX

— Adhish R. Wali (@AdhishWali) January 21, 2023