Karnataka BJP on 7 August observed National Handloom Day at its state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan in Bengaluru, felicitating professional weavers and spotlighting the Narendra Modi-led Centre's initiatives for the handloom sector. The event brought together party legislators, council members, and weaver-cell representatives to underline what the BJP described as a sustained policy push for the weaving community.

What Vijayendra Said

BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra told the gathering that the Centre had meaningfully strengthened the economic standing of weavers through a range of welfare programmes. He pledged that a BJP government in Karnataka — should the party return to power — would roll out additional schemes specifically for the handloom sector.

'The BJP will definitely return to power. Our government will formulate several schemes for the welfare of weavers and ensure better support for the handloom sector,' Vijayendra said, simultaneously dismissing the prospects of the incumbent Congress government's re-election.

Central Schemes in Focus

Vijayendra cited the PM MITRA Parks scheme as a flagship Central initiative for the textile industry, arguing that it improves skills, expands market access, and generates employment. He also credited Prime Minister Modi for reviving interest in khadi, which he said has recorded substantial business growth in recent years.

He drew attention to other Central programmes — including the construction of over 11 crore toilets, LPG connections to more than 12 crore households, Mudra loans to over 15 crore beneficiaries, and initiatives such as Make in India and Skill India — framing them as evidence of a broader rural-development agenda.

Weavers' Demands and Employment Potential

Vijayendra acknowledged that weavers have long sought easier access to bank loans, electricity subsidies, and better market linkages. He argued that if weaving were made financially rewarding, younger generations would continue the craft rather than abandon it. Notably, he pushed back against a narrow focus on engineering, medical, and IT employment, contending that traditional sectors like handloom can generate significant rural jobs with adequate policy backing.

Recalling the BJP's tenure in Karnataka under former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa — who reportedly described farmers and weavers as the 'two eyes' of society — Vijayendra said the party had introduced welfare programmes for both communities. He alleged that the present Congress administration had failed to extend comparable support to handloom workers.

Independence Day and the Flag Economy

Vijayendra also linked Prime Minister Modi's appeal to hoist the national flag at every home ahead of Independence Day to handloom employment, arguing that the demand for millions of flags could directly benefit weavers. He stressed that a developed India cannot be built on urban growth alone, and that villages must be central to any progress narrative.

Several party leaders attended the event, including MLA Shailendra Beldale, MLC Keshav Prasad, former MLA M.D. Lakshminarayan, BJP state cells coordinator S. Dattatri, and state weavers' cell convenor B.S. Somashekhar. With Karnataka's next assembly election on the horizon, the BJP's public outreach to the weaving community signals a deliberate effort to consolidate support among traditional artisan groups.