Congress files complaint against BJP MLC over flag disrespect in Bengaluru
Synopsis
A Congress leader has filed a police complaint alleging that BJP MLC N. Ravikumar adopted an RSS-style 'Dhwaj Pranam' posture — rather than the prescribed stance — while the National Flag was hoisted and the National Anthem played at the BJP's Malleshwaram office on Independence Day. The complaint lands one day after BJP Yuva Morcha filed its own complaint against Sonia Gandhi over the Vande Mataram row, turning national-symbol protocol into a political flashpoint in Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
Congress leader Kushal Haruvegowda filed a police complaint on 17 August against BJP MLC N.
The complaint alleges Ravikumar disrespected the National Flag and National Anthem at the BJP office in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru , on 15 August .
A video allegedly shows Ravikumar in an RSS-style 'Dhwaj Pranam' posture during the flag-hoisting ceremony.
The complainant has urged police to examine video footage and invoke applicable laws if a violation is established.
One day earlier, BJP Yuva Morcha filed a counter-complaint against Sonia Gandhi over an alleged Vande Mataram disrespect incident at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi .
The Indian National Congress on Monday, 17 August filed a formal police complaint against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of the Legislative Council N. Ravikumar, alleging that he disrespected the National Flag and National Anthem during Independence Day celebrations at the BJP office in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, on 15 August. The complaint was lodged by Congress leader Kushal Haruvegowda, who urged police to examine video footage of the incident.
What the Complaint Alleges
According to the complaint, a video of the 15 August flag-hoisting ceremony at the BJP office in Malleshwaram allegedly shows Ravikumar standing in a posture resembling the RSS-style 'Dhwaj Pranam' while the National Flag was being hoisted and the National Anthem was being played. The complainant contends that this posture did not constitute the required mark of respect to the national symbols.
Haruvegowda urged authorities to conduct a fair and impartial investigation to determine whether any law was violated, stressing that legal accountability must apply equally to all citizens, including elected representatives.
Key Legal Argument
The complaint invoked the principle that the National Flag is not the property of any political party or organisation — it is a symbol of the nation's honour, unity, and sovereignty. Haruvegowda called on authorities to take appropriate action under applicable laws if a violation is established, citing every citizen's responsibility to protect the dignity of national symbols.
The Counter-Complaint Context
The Congress complaint comes a day after the BJP Yuva Morcha filed its own police complaint in Bengaluru against senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over an alleged Vande Mataram row. That complaint alleged that video footage uploaded on YouTube showed Gandhi 'disrespecting Vande Mataram and asking that its rendition in full be stopped' during the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day. Both complaints remain allegations at this stage, and neither has been independently verified.
What Happens Next
Police in Bengaluru are yet to announce any action on either complaint. Legal experts note that violations of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 can attract criminal penalties, though establishing intent and conduct in such cases typically requires detailed scrutiny of video evidence. The duelling complaints reflect a pattern of competing political grievances being channelled through law enforcement ahead of the Karnataka political season.
Point of View
BJP Yuva Morcha targeting Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram — reveal how national symbols have become instruments of political attrition rather than shared civic pride. Neither complaint has been verified by police, and the legal threshold under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act is demanding. What is notable is the timing: both complaints were filed within 48 hours of Independence Day, suggesting a coordinated tit-for-tat rather than spontaneous civic outrage. Karnataka's already charged political atmosphere makes this a story about competitive grievance politics as much as it is about flag protocol.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Congress complaint against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar about?
Congress leader Kushal Haruvegowda has filed a police complaint alleging that BJP MLC N. Ravikumar disrespected the National Flag and National Anthem during the Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony at the BJP office in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, on 15 August. The complaint claims a video shows Ravikumar standing in an RSS-style 'Dhwaj Pranam' posture instead of the required mark of respect.
What action has the police taken on the complaint?
As of the filing of the complaint on 17 August, Bengaluru police had not announced any formal action. The complainant has urged authorities to examine the video footage and determine whether any law was violated before taking appropriate steps.
What law could apply if a violation is established?
Disrespect to national symbols can attract penalties under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Establishing a violation typically requires detailed scrutiny of video evidence and proof of intent, which police would need to assess.
What is the BJP Yuva Morcha's counter-complaint about?
The BJP Yuva Morcha filed a separate police complaint in Bengaluru on Sunday against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, alleging she disrespected Vande Mataram and asked that its full rendition be stopped during the Independence Day ceremony at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on 15 August. The allegation is based on YouTube video footage and has not been independently verified.
Why are these complaints significant in the Karnataka political context?
Karnataka has been a key political battleground between the Congress and BJP, and the near-simultaneous filing of complaints by both sides over Independence Day conduct signals an escalation of political rivalry into the domain of national symbols. Legal experts note that such complaints are rarely prosecuted but carry significant symbolic and reputational weight.
