Karnataka Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s request to skip Independence Day flag-hoisting duties in Vijayanagara triggered a political confrontation between the Congress government and BJP.

Row Erupts Over Request

A political controversy erupted in Karnataka after Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan sought exemption from his assigned Independence Day flag-hoisting duty in Vijayanagara district. The request triggered sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused the minister of showing disrespect towards a national occasion.

Khan also asked Chief Minister D K Shivakumar not to assign him responsibility as district in-charge minister for any district, citing upcoming elections and organisational commitments.

Minister Cites Political Work

In his communication to the Chief Minister, Khan said upcoming local body elections, Greater Bengaluru Authority-related activities, Assembly bypolls and party organisational work would require his attention.

He said he would not have enough time to discharge the responsibilities of a district in-charge minister. He also sought relief from the August 15 flag-hoisting programme in Vijayanagara.

The minister had earlier handled responsibility for Vijayanagara and had also been assigned work related to assessing the district’s drought situation.

Government Changes Assignment

Following Khan’s request, the Karnataka government changed the arrangement for the Independence Day ceremony in Vijayanagara. Minister K S Basavanthappa was assigned to hoist the national flag at the district-level celebrations instead.

The state also finalised a fresh allocation of district in-charge responsibilities ahead of Independence Day. Khan was not included among the ministers assigned charge of the state’s 31 districts.

BJP Demands Minister’s Removal

The Opposition BJP seized on the controversy during the Karnataka Assembly proceedings. BJP MLA Sunil Kumar questioned why a serving minister would seek exemption from a national ceremony.

Kumar demanded action against Khan and argued that participation in Independence Day celebrations formed part of the responsibilities associated with public office. He also questioned the government’s decision to accept the request.

Former Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan also criticised Khan and demanded accountability over the decision.

Government Defends Khan

The Congress government sought to defend the minister amid the Opposition attack. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara indicated that health concerns were connected to the issue, while the BJP challenged that explanation.

BJP members pointed out that Khan’s written request referred primarily to political and organisational commitments. The exchange led to an uproar in the Assembly, with Opposition members later staging a walkout.

Election Duties Add Pressure

The controversy comes as Karnataka’s ruling Congress prepares for several upcoming electoral and organisational challenges. The government has simultaneously been reorganising district-level ministerial responsibilities.

The timing has given the BJP an opportunity to question the Congress government over ministerial priorities, while the ruling party has sought to treat the matter as an issue arising from administrative and political scheduling.

Debate Over Public Duty

The dispute has now moved beyond one minister’s schedule and become a wider political argument over the responsibilities of elected representatives during national occasions.

For the Congress government, the immediate task is to prevent the controversy from widening into a larger Cabinet issue. For the BJP, the episode provides another point of attack against the state government ahead of upcoming political contests. The Karnataka political row is likely to remain in focus as both sides continue to debate Khan’s request and the role of ministers in official Independence Day programmes.