A file phote of B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, Chamrajpet MLA and Housing Minister in Karnataka, holding the national flag.
| Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K
The BJP on Friday demanded the dismissal of Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan from the Karnataka Cabinet following his decision to opt out of hoisting the national flag at Vijayanagara on Independence Day triggered a heated exchange in the Legislative Assembly.
The issue was raised shortly after the election of Congress member G.S. Patil as Speaker. BJP member .S. Sunil Kumar questioned why a Minister who “does not have time” to hoist the Tricolour on Independence Day should continue in the Cabinet.
Mr. Zameer had written to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday expressing his inability to continue as Vijayanagara district in-charge Minister, citing a lack of time. He also sought exemption from hoisting the national flag in the district on August 15.
The government subsequently entrusted Muzrai Minister K.S. Basavanthappa with the responsibility of hoisting the flag in Vijayanagara.
“Why do we need a Minister who doesn’t have time for Independence Day? What else is more pressing?” Mr. Sunil Kumar asked. Mr. Zameer was not present in the House when the issue was raised.
In his defence
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara defended the Minister, saying Mr. Zameer had cited health reasons and was unable to undertake the journey to Vijayanagara. “The Chief Minister has made alternative arrangements for the flag hoisting,” he said.
Mr. Sunil Kumar urged Dr. Parameshwara not to defend Mr. Zameer but to “make an alternative arrangement for this Minister.” He also referred to the alleged raising of “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans at the Vidhana Soudha, accusing the government of remaining silent on the issue.
Dr. Parameshwara accused the BJP of mixing unrelated issues and said, “Mr. Zameer has cited health reasons. You can’t call it treason.”
C.N. Ashwath Narayan (BJP) said Mr. Zameer’s decision amounted to an insult to the nation. When BJP members continued to raise the issue, Mr. Patil said he was not opposed to the matter being discussed but asked them to give notice for a discussion. Mr. Sunil Kumar questioned whether notice was necessary to discuss an issue concerning respect for the national flag.
Sacred duty
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also took to X and said, “He claims he that has no time because he is too busy focusing on local body elections, upcoming by-elections, and internal political party work…. How can a sitting Cabinet Minister consider the sacred duty of hoisting the national flag on Independence Day as a burden when compared with party politics?”
Published – August 14, 2026 04:20 pm IST
