Published Aug 14, 2026 | 1:42 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 14, 2026 | 1:42 PM
Minister KS Basavanthappa has been assigned to hoist the national flag in Vijayanagara in place of Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Synopsis: Karnataka Housing Minister B Zameer Ahmed Khan sought and received exemption from flag-hoisting duties at the Independence Day celebrations in Vijayanagara on 15 August, citing political and organisational commitments ahead of local and civic body elections. The Opposition BJP accused the Congress of giving greater importance to electoral activities over the “sacred duty” of flag hoisting and demanded Khan’s dismissal from the Cabinet.
The Opposition BJP in Karnataka has demanded the dismissal of Housing Minister B Zameer Ahmed Khan from the State Cabinet after he sought and was granted exemption from flag-hoisting duties at the Independence Day celebrations in Vijayanagara on 15 August, citing political and organisational commitments ahead of the local and civic body elections.
In a letter to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dated 13 August, Khan requested that he be relieved of the responsibility and that another Minister be nominated for the ceremony.
A copy of the letter.
Citing upcoming local and civic body elections and other organisational commitments, he would be unable to attend the programme; he asked that he not be assigned charge of Vijayanagara or any other district.
The State government subsequently revised the arrangements. Minister KS Basavanthappa, who had earlier been assigned to hoist the national flag in Udupi district, was assigned the Vijayanagara programme. Minister Rizwan Arshad was given the responsibility for the Udupi programme.
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BJP leader and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said flag hoisting on Independence Day was a “sacred duty” and accused the Congress government of giving greater importance to party and electoral activities.
He demanded that the Chief Minister dismiss Khan from the Cabinet and sought an apology from the Congress leadership, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
The controversy comes shortly after the expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet and the allocation of portfolios. Khan, who represents Chamrajpet in Bengaluru, was inducted into the Cabinet and given the Housing portfolio.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
