Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s request to be exempted from Independence Day flag-hoisting duty in Vijayanagara triggered a heated political row on Friday, with the BJP accusing him of disrespecting the national festival and demanding his removal from the state Cabinet.
Khan, who represents Chamarajpet in Bengaluru and holds the Housing portfolio, had written to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday seeking exemption from both the flag-hoisting duty and the responsibility of Vijayanagara district in-charge minister. Following his request, the state government assigned the August 15 flag-hoisting duty in Vijayanagara to Minister K S Basavanthappa.
WHY ZAMEER SOUGHT EXEMPTION
In his letter, Khan cited upcoming local body elections, including those to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), Assembly bypolls and party organisational activities as reasons for seeking exemption from the district in-charge responsibility.
He said he would not have sufficient time to discharge the duties of a district in-charge minister and requested that he not be assigned the responsibility of any district.
Khan also said he had been assigned to hoist the national flag in Vijayanagara on August 15 but would not be able to attend, seeking exemption from the duty.
He noted that he had earlier been tasked with assessing the drought situation in Vijayanagara and had already submitted his report.
Khan had served as the in-charge minister of Vijayanagara during the previous Siddaramaiah-led government. Both Khan and Basavanthappa were inducted into the Cabinet on August 3.
BJP ATTACKS ZAMEER OVER I-DAY DUTY
The issue was raised in the Assembly by senior BJP MLA Sunil Kumar, who questioned why a minister would seek exemption from hoisting the national flag on Independence Day.
“If a minister cannot attend a national festival, then why have such a minister? Is he so big and busy that he cannot hoist the national flag?” Kumar asked.
Displaying Khan’s letter, Kumar questioned whether accepting such a request reflected a lack of respect for the national flag and the Independence Day celebrations.
He demanded action against Khan, saying Karnataka did not need a minister who did not have time to participate in the national celebration.
BJP MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan also criticised Khan’s decision. “This act cannot be defended or supported. No Indian would conduct themselves in such a manner, but it is unfortunate such a person is the Minister in Karnataka. This is an insult to the state, country and the national flag,” he said.
PARAMESHWARA DEFENDS MINISTER
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara defended Khan, saying the minister’s request appeared to be aimed at being assigned another district and that health concerns were involved.
“He is unwell to go to Vijayanagara, as it is far away. He has made a request,” Parameshwara said.
However, BJP members pointed out that health reasons were not mentioned in Khan’s letter, which cited his political and organisational responsibilities and said he would not be able to attend the August 15 programme.
Sunil Kumar rejected the Deputy Chief Minister’s explanation and accused the government of defending the minister. “What health? People can’t tolerate such things… Don’t defend such things. Suspend such a minister. Why keep him?” Kumar said.
Parameshwara reiterated that Khan appeared to be indicating that he would be unable to travel to Vijayanagara due to ill health and that the Chief Minister had accordingly made alternative arrangements.
BJP WALKS OUT OF ASSEMBLY
The exchange escalated as Sunil Kumar questioned the government’s handling of the issue and said the BJP did not need lessons on respecting the national flag.
BJP MLAs subsequently staged a walkout from the Assembly, describing the government’s handling of the matter as “disgraceful”.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka termed Khan’s decision “an insult to the country” and demanded action from the Chief Minister.
Ashoka warned that failure to act against the minister could encourage others in the government to behave similarly.
“No stringent action has yet been taken against those who had raised pro-Pakistan slogans at Vidhana Soudha. Now, a minister has also shown disrespect towards the country. If action is not taken against the minister, the people themselves will teach him a lesson,” he said.
– Ends
With agency inputs
Published By:
Priyanka Kumari
Published On:
Aug 15, 2026 00:03 IST
