Bengaluru: Senior BJP leaders on August 10 launched a Tricolour Yatra in Bengaluru as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, calling upon people to display the national flag at their homes and participate actively in programmes marking Independence Day. The event also turned into a political platform, with BJP leaders sharply attacking the Congress over its comments on the freedom movement and nationalism.
The Tricolour Yatra was organised from near a government school opposite K.C. General Hospital. BJP leaders and workers carrying the national flag took part in the procession and raised slogans in support of the country.
Addressing the gathering, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy criticised the Congress over remarks allegedly comparing freedom fighters and the contribution of different organisations to dogs.
ನಮ್ಮ ತ್ರಿವರ್ಣ ಧ್ವಜ, ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ !🇮🇳
ಹರ್ ಘರ್ ತಿರಂಗಾ ಅಭಿಯಾನದ ಅಂಗವಾಗಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜ್ಯಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ವಿಜಯೇಂದ್ರ ಯಡಿಯೂರಪ್ಪ ಮತ್ತು ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ನಾಯಕರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ತ್ರಿವರ್ಣ ಯಾತ್ರೆ ನಡೆಯಿತು. #HarGharTiranga #TrivarnaYatre pic.twitter.com/lGcnSwTzrZ
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) August 10, 2026
“Congress leaders say that only the dogs in their homes fought for freedom and that no other dogs fought for the country. Such statements reflect the dog culture of the Congress. Freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the nation should never be compared to animals,” Narayanaswamy said.
He alleged that the Congress was attempting to rewrite the history of India’s freedom struggle and questioned the party’s present-day commitment to nationalism.
“Congress leaders have compared freedom fighters to dogs. If that is the language they choose, people will naturally question what comparison should be made with those making such statements. Today, what remains is a Congress centred around a family and groups that have repeatedly questioned the country’s unity,” he said.
Narayanaswamy also accused the Congress of failing to take a strong position against forces that, according to him, threaten India’s unity and sovereignty.
“Even decades after Independence, there are forces that continue to work against the country’s unity. We have to defeat such divisive and dangerous forces through democratic means. Whenever slogans supporting Pakistan are raised on Indian soil, the answer should come from the patriotic spirit of every citizen,” he said.
He appealed to people to keep national interest above political differences and ensure that patriotism remains at the centre of the Independence Day celebrations.
“Let the Congress say whatever it wants. Our hearts should always carry love for the country. The Tricolour represents the sacrifices of millions of Indians and should unite us beyond political and ideological differences,” Narayanaswamy said.
The BJP leader also hit out at the Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, questioning its political objective and accusing the party of misleading people.
“The Congress conducted a Bharat Jodo Yatra and presented it as an effort to unite the country. But what does Bharat Jodo actually mean for them? Are they trying to bring Pakistan and Bangladesh together with India? Do they have the strength to do that? The Congress is confusing people through such slogans,” he alleged.
Narayanaswamy claimed that the BJP was engaged in what he described as the “real Bharat Jodo” by strengthening national unity and encouraging people to participate in national programmes.
The event also saw Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka target the Congress over its criticism of the BJP’s role in the freedom struggle.
Ashoka said the Congress of the freedom movement and the present-day Congress were not the same and argued that the party could not claim exclusive ownership of the legacy of India’s Independence struggle.
“Those who are criticising the BJP today were not themselves part of the freedom struggle. The Congress that participated in the freedom movement and the Congress that exists today are two different entities. The Congress of that era is long gone,” Ashoka said.
He referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s reported suggestion that the Congress should be dissolved after Independence and said the present political organisation should not claim sole ownership of the legacy of the freedom movement.
“Even Mahatma Gandhi had suggested that the Congress should be dissolved after Independence. That did not happen. Today, those who have inherited the organisation are questioning others’ patriotism. They should first understand the history of the freedom movement,” Ashoka said.
He urged citizens to participate enthusiastically in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign initiated as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to citizens to participate in the campaign and hoist the Tricolour at their homes, Ashoka said, adding that the BJP had undertaken a programme to take the national flag to households across Bengaluru.
“We want citizens to participate in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign with enthusiasm. The national flag belongs to every Indian. Taking the Tricolour to every household is not merely a political programme but an expression of respect for the country and the sacrifices made for Independence,” Ashoka said.
The BJP leaders said the campaign would continue in the run-up to Independence Day, with party workers reaching out to households and encouraging residents to display the national flag.
