Karnataka minister Zameer seeks I-Day flag hoisting exemption; BJP demands dismissal
Synopsis
Two days after getting his portfolio, Karnataka Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan asked to be excused from hoisting the Tricolour on Independence Day — citing election duties. The BJP has seized on the letter to demand his dismissal, turning a bureaucratic request into a full-blown political flashpoint on the eve of 15 August.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Housing Minister B.Z.
Zameer Ahmed Khan wrote to Chief Minister D.K.
Shivakumar seeking exemption from hoisting the national flag in Vijayanagara district on 15 August .
Zameer cited upcoming Bengaluru civic polls, local body elections, Assembly bypolls, and party organisational duties as reasons for his absence.
The request came just two days after portfolios were allocated in the Karnataka Cabinet expansion.
BJP Leader of Opposition R.
Ashoka called the move 'total disrespect' for the country and demanded Zameer's dismissal from the Cabinet.
Chief Minister Shivakumar had not publicly responded to the request or the BJP's demand as of Friday .
Karnataka Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan has written to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar seeking exemption from hoisting the national flag at Independence Day celebrations in Vijayanagara district on 15 August, citing pressing electoral and party obligations. The request, made just two days after portfolios were allocated following the recent Cabinet expansion, has drawn sharp condemnation from the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has called for his dismissal from the state Cabinet.
What Zameer Said in His Letter
In his letter to Chief Minister Shivakumar, Zameer stated that he had been assigned the responsibility of hoisting the Tricolour in Vijayanagara district in North Karnataka. He cited the upcoming Bengaluru civic polls, various local body elections, Assembly bypolls, and party organisational responsibilities as reasons for his inability to attend the programme.
'In the state, in the coming days, including Bengaluru civic polls, various local body elections, bypolls of Assembly segments and also in view of organisation of the party, there is shortage of time to take on the responsibility of district in-charge minister of Vijayanagara district,' Zameer wrote. He also requested that he not be assigned the role of District In-charge Minister for Vijayanagara or any other district, and separately referenced the drought situation in the district, noting he had already submitted the relevant report.
BJP's Sharp Reaction
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka reacted strongly, accusing the Congress government of placing party interests above national duty. 'Congress shamelessly puts party politics above the nation,' Ashoka said in a statement on Friday.
Ashoka alleged that seeking exemption from hoisting the Tricolour amounted to 'total disrespect' for the country, and argued that hoisting the national flag on Independence Day was a 'sacred duty' that no minister should sidestep for electoral reasons. He demanded that Chief Minister Shivakumar dismiss Zameer from the Cabinet, contending that the minister's conduct had brought 'shame' upon the state.
The BJP leader also targeted the broader Congress leadership, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, demanding an apology over the episode.
Context and Timing
The controversy erupted barely two days after the Karnataka Cabinet expansion that assigned fresh portfolios to ministers. Zameer, who holds the Housing portfolio, was designated as the District In-charge Minister for Vijayanagara — a role that typically carries the responsibility of presiding over district-level Independence Day functions.
Notably, this comes as Karnataka prepares for a busy electoral calendar, with civic body polls and Assembly bypolls expected in the near term. Critics argue that the timing of the exemption request — on the eve of Independence Day — makes the optics particularly damaging for the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) in the state.
What Happens Next
Chief Minister Shivakumar has not yet publicly responded to either Zameer's request or the BJP's dismissal demand. It remains to be seen whether an alternative arrangement will be made for the flag hoisting in Vijayanagara district and whether the episode triggers further political fallout as the state observes Independence Day celebrations on 15 August.
Point of View
On its face, a routine administrative request — ministers do seek reassignments. But the timing is tone-deaf: two days into a fresh portfolio, on the eve of Independence Day, citing election work as the reason. The BJP's outrage is predictable and partly performative, yet the Congress government handed them the ammunition. What the episode really exposes is the tension between the party's electoral machine — running at full throttle ahead of civic polls — and the ceremonial obligations of ministerial office. Shivakumar's silence is the more telling signal: how he responds will indicate whether he is willing to discipline his own Cabinet or absorb the political cost of inaction.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmed Khan seek exemption from hoisting the flag on Independence Day?
Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan cited an overloaded schedule — including upcoming Bengaluru civic polls, local body elections, Assembly bypolls, and party organisational work — as reasons for his inability to attend the Independence Day programme in Vijayanagara district on 15 August. He communicated this in a letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
What has the BJP demanded over the Zameer flag-hoisting controversy?
The BJP, led by Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, has demanded that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar dismiss Zameer Ahmed Khan from the Karnataka Cabinet. Ashoka called the exemption request 'total disrespect' for the national flag and a 'sacred duty' abandoned for electoral calculations.
When did this controversy emerge and what was the context?
The controversy surfaced on Friday, 14 August 2024 — one day before Independence Day — and just two days after fresh portfolios were allocated in the Karnataka Cabinet expansion. Zameer had been designated District In-charge Minister for Vijayanagara, which carries the flag-hoisting responsibility.
Has Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded to the BJP's demand?
As of Friday, Chief Minister Shivakumar had not publicly responded to either Zameer's exemption request or the BJP's demand for his dismissal. It is unclear whether an alternative minister will be deputed for the Vijayanagara Independence Day function.
Who else did the BJP target over this issue?
Beyond Zameer, BJP leader R. Ashoka also targeted the broader Congress leadership, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, demanding an apology over what he described as the party's disregard for national duty.
