Karnataka Minister Seeks Exemption From Flag Hoisting; BJP Protests

Karnataka Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan sought exemption from hoisting the national flag at Independence Day celebrations in Vijayanagara district, citing electoral and party-organizational responsibilities.

Khan's request, made in a letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on August 11, 2026, has drawn criticism from the BJP, which has accused the Congress government of politicizing the issue and questioned Khan's patriotism. Minister M.B. Patil defended Khan, stating his patriotism is unquestionable and that the BJP is making baseless allegations. Patil also criticized the BJP, claiming that leaders from the party and the Sangh Parivar did not participate in the freedom struggle and that the RSS headquarters in Nagpur refused to hoist the national flag for decades after independence.

Meanwhile, BJP legislators protested the absence of women ministers in the recently expanded D.K. Shivakumar Cabinet, calling the ruling Congress 'anti-women'. State BJP president BY Vijayendra led the protest, arguing that women, who constitute 50 percent of the population, should be given equal opportunities and representation. He contrasted this with the Narendra Modi-led central government's steps to provide 33 percent reservation for women, which he claimed the Congress and Rahul Gandhi opposed.

The BJP legislators gathered near the Nada Devi Bhuvaneshwari statue at the Vidhana Soudha premises and marched towards the building, condemning the Congress government for denying women representation in the cabinet.