Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh over the ruling party’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, saying the initiative should begin at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur before citizens are asked to participate.
In a post on social media platform X, Kharge pointed to a long-standing historical record, noting that the RSS did not hoist the Indian National Flag at its Nagpur headquarters for more than five decades after Independence. He stated that the Tricolour was officially raised there only in 2002.
“For over five decades after Independence, the RSS did not hoist the Indian National Flag at its Nagpur headquarters. The Tricolour was officially hoisted only in 2002,” Kharge wrote.
He raised pointed questions about why the organisation had, for so long, chosen the Bhagwa Dhwaj over the national flag. “Before lecturing every Indian on patriotism, perhaps the BJP should first explain why its ideological parent chose the Bhagwa Dhwaj over the Tricolour and why the national flag was absent from its own headquarters for so long,” he said.
Kharge also questioned the absence of the Tricolour in RSS route marches, asking how many such marches had featured uniformed swayamsevaks carrying the national flag. “How many RSS route marches have you seen where swayamsevaks, in full uniform, proudly march carrying the Indian Tricolour? None. And these chaps go around giving ‘Desh Bhakt’ certificates to everyone,” he added.
His remarks came as the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign gained momentum ahead of Independence Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the campaign in 2022 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The campaign encourages citizens to hoist the National Flag at their homes and build a personal connection with the Tricolour.
