Karnataka Minister Defends Colleague's Patriotism Amid Independence Day Flag Row
Karnataka's Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, M.B. Patil, on Wednesday defended his cabinet colleague B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, saying his patriotism is "unquestionable". The statement came amid criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Khan's absence from the Independence Day celebrations in Vijayanagar district.
Addressing reporters in Vijayapura on August 15, Patil said Khan had declared his willingness to join the armed forces if needed, and that the BJP should not make baseless allegations against him. "He is a patriot. He has written a letter to the Chief Minister declining the post of district-in-charge minister. We should respect his decision," Patil added.
Khan, who serves as the Housing Minister, had reportedly chosen not to attend the flag hoisting ceremony in Vijayanagar, his home district. The BJP has accused him of disrespecting the national flag and questioned his commitment to the nation. However, Patil dismissed these allegations as a "needless politicisation" of the issue.
The Minister also targeted the BJP, claiming that leaders of the party and the Sangh Parivar had not participated in the freedom struggle. "Those leaders who are shouting slogans of Har Ghar Tiranga had refused to hoist the national flag in the RSS headquarters in Nagpur for several decades after independence," he said, adding that there was no need to "learn patriotism" from such people.
While Patil did not provide evidence for these claims, his remarks reflect the deepening political rivalry in Karnataka ahead of upcoming elections. The Congress and BJP have been trading charges over issues of national identity and patriotism, with the BJP accusing the Congress of appeasement and the Congress countering with claims about the BJP's historical record.
Zameer Ahmed Khan, a senior Congress leader, represents the Chamrajpet constituency in Bengaluru and has held multiple portfolios in the state government. The Vijayanagar district in the Ballari region has been a political hotbed, with the Congress and BJP vying for influence. His decision to decline the district-in-charge role and skip the Independence Day event has created a fresh flashpoint.
Critics argue that such exchanges distract from developmental issues and needlessly polarise the electorate. Political observers note that the incident comes at a time when the Congress-led state government is seeking to assert its governance achievements while countering the BJP's narrative on nationalism.
The BJP has not yet responded to Patil's latest comments. However, the party's state unit had earlier demanded an explanation from Khan, asserting that attending Independence Day functions is a matter of national duty. Efforts to reach Khan for comment were not successful, but his letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, declining the district-in-charge role, is believed to be a personal decision. Patil urged the BJP to respect that decision and focus on constructive politics.
