BJP launches 'Har Ghar Tiranga' in Bengaluru, hits out at Congress on patriotism
Synopsis
The BJP's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' march in Bengaluru was as much a political offensive as a patriotic exercise — with top Karnataka opposition leaders using the Tricolour as a cudgel against the ruling Congress, invoking 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at Vidhana Soudha and questioning whether today's Congress has any real link to the freedom movement.
Key Takeaways
BJP Karnataka launched the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign with a Tricolour march in Bengaluru on 10 August .
BJP State President B.Y.
Vijayendra said the campaign was launched at the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
Vijayendra alleged the Karnataka government shielded those accused of raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at Vidhana Soudha .
Leader of Opposition R.
Ashoka argued the Congress of the independence era is different from the present-day party, citing Mahatma Gandhi's own suggestion to dissolve the organisation.
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy questioned the Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' and accused the party of being controlled by a single family.
The campaign aims to ensure the Tricolour reaches every household ahead of Independence Day on 15 August .
The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, 10 August launched the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign in Bengaluru, organising a Tricolour march near the government school premises opposite K.C. General Hospital to mark the freedom struggle and promote patriotism ahead of Independence Day. Senior party leaders used the occasion to launch a sharp attack on the ruling Congress government in Karnataka over its nationalist credentials.
Key Developments
BJP Karnataka State President B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy led the march, alongside legislators, MLCs, students, doctors, and retired military personnel.
Vijayendra said the campaign was launched in keeping with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was aimed at honouring freedom fighters and instilling patriotism across every household in the country. 'We do not need to learn patriotism from the Congress,' he said, in a pointed jab at the state's ruling party.
BJP's Allegations Against Congress
Vijayendra alleged that the Karnataka government had shielded individuals accused of raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru — an allegation the Congress has not formally responded to in the context of this event. He also called upon citizens from all communities — Hindus, Muslims, and Christians — to unite and work towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Ashoka argued that the Congress of the independence era was fundamentally different from the present-day party. He recalled that Mahatma Gandhi had himself suggested dissolving the Congress after Independence. 'Congress leaders criticise the BJP by saying that the party did not participate in the freedom struggle. But those making these allegations today were not part of the freedom struggle either,' Ashoka said.
Narayanaswamy went further, questioning the Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' and accusing the party of being controlled by a single family. He alleged that fringe elements associated with the Congress were working against national interest, and said that those who raise anti-India slogans must face consequences. He also urged citizens to hoist the Tricolour at their homes irrespective of political affiliations.
Campaign Background
The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign is a nationwide initiative driven by Prime Minister Modi's call to citizens to display the national flag at their homes in the run-up to Independence Day on 15 August. The BJP has positioned itself as the primary vehicle for this campaign, framing it as a civic and patriotic movement. BJP Karnataka co-in-charge Sudhakar Reddy also praised the Prime Minister, citing the abrogation of Article 370 as a milestone that reinforced national unity.
What This Signals
The Bengaluru march comes at a time of heightened political friction between the BJP and the Congress-led Karnataka government. The BJP's use of the patriotism platform to target the ruling state government reflects a broader strategy ahead of upcoming political cycles. With Independence Day approaching, the campaign is expected to intensify across districts in Karnataka.
Point of View
But Monday's Bengaluru march made clear that the BJP views it primarily as political terrain. Using a patriotism drive to relitigate the Congress's freedom-struggle credentials is a well-worn BJP playbook — but the specific allegation about 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at Vidhana Soudha, if substantiated, points to a genuine law-and-order flashpoint the Karnataka government cannot afford to dismiss. What is notable is the near-absence of any Congress rebuttal at the event itself, leaving the BJP's framing unchallenged in the immediate news cycle. As Independence Day approaches, expect this patriotism-versus-appeasement binary to sharpen further across Karnataka's political landscape.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign launched by BJP in Bengaluru?
The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign is a nationwide initiative at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call, urging citizens to hoist the national flag at their homes ahead of Independence Day on 15 August. The BJP Karnataka unit launched it with a Tricolour march near K.C. General Hospital in Bengaluru on 10 August.
Who led the BJP's Har Ghar Tiranga march in Bengaluru?
The march was led by BJP Karnataka State President B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, along with several other party leaders, legislators, students, and retired military personnel.
What did BJP's Vijayendra allege against the Karnataka Congress government?
Vijayendra alleged that the Congress-led Karnataka government had protected individuals accused of raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. He also said the BJP does not need to learn patriotism from the Congress.
What did R. Ashoka say about the Congress and the freedom struggle?
Ashoka argued that the Congress that led the independence movement is fundamentally different from the present-day party. He recalled that Mahatma Gandhi had himself suggested dissolving the Congress after Independence, and said those who question BJP's freedom-struggle participation were themselves not part of it.
When is Independence Day and how does this campaign relate to it?
India's Independence Day falls on 15 August. The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign is designed to build up to the occasion by encouraging every household to display the Tricolour, with the BJP positioning itself as the primary driver of the initiative nationwide.
