Flex BAN, Yes or No?

CM says flex-free Mysuru… but MCC order limits it to Dasara

Mysuru: Several attempts in the past to make Mysuru a flex-free city have failed to achieve the desired result, despite Government orders and campaigns. This time, however, the direction has come directly from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Speaking at a press conference after chairing a meeting on Dasara 2026 preparations at the MysuruZilla Panchayat (ZP) auditorium last evening, Shivakumar said, Mysuru would be made a flex-free city.

“No private flex boards will be allowed in Mysuru. The city must remain flex-free. No flexes should display my photo or any leader’s photo. I have directed the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner and the Police Commissioner accordingly. Only Govt.-related flexes and banners connected to Dasara will be permitted,” he said.

Following the Chief Minister’s directive, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha issued a notification restricting the flex-free order to the Dasara festival period.

The notification said, the Chief Minister had given strict instructions to ban unauthorised flex boards in Mysuru during the festival.

As part of the drive, MCC has launched a campaign titled ‘Flex-Free Dasara 2026,’ calling for the removal of unauthorised flexes, banners and posters to preserve the city’s traditional beauty. However, while the CM announced that Mysuru would be made a flex-free city, the MCC notification limits the restriction to the Dasara period.

The MCC notification states that Dasara, the State festival, showcases Karnataka’s art, culture and grandeur to the world, with tourists from across the country and abroad visiting Mysuru to witness the illuminated Palace, cultural programmes and the majestic JumbooSavari.

To maintain the city’s aesthetics and cleanliness and ensure smooth traffic flow during the festival, unauthorised flexes, banners and posters have been prohibited within Mysuru city limits from Oct. 5 until further orders.

Only flexes and banners installed with proper authorisation for Dasara-related purposes are exempted from the restriction. The MCC has urged elected representatives, political parties, organisations, event organisers and the public not to put up unauthorised publicity materials.

Unauthorised flexes, banners and posters already installed must be removed voluntarily by Oct. 7. Failing this, the MCC will remove them and initiate legal action under the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981, including the imposition of fines.

MCC Commissioner Savitha has appealed to elected representatives and citizens to cooperate with the MCC in preserving Mysuru’s traditional charm and ensuring the success of ‘Flex-Free Dasara 2026.’

Flex-free Mysuru or flex-free Dasara?

There was some confusion over whether Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s announcement on making Mysuru flex-free applies only during Dasara or is intended to continuebeyond the festival. The CM chaired a meeting on Dasara preparations on Saturday, which the media was not allowed to attend. After the meeting, while briefing reporters, he said, “Mysuru will be flex-free.” He did not, at that stage, specify that the restriction was only for the Dasara period. Towards the end of the press conference, however, when journalists pointed out that flex boards are commonly put up in front of name boards and signboards, covering them, the Chief Minister clarified, saying, “Flex-free Dasara.”