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In the video, the Congress worker is seen removing Siddaramaiah’s shoes while holding the Tiranga. (Screengrab via X/@ANI)
In response to the incident, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla condemned it on X, calling it an insult to the Tiranga
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has come under fire after a video surfaced showing a Congress worker, holding the Tiranga, removing his shoes as he arrived to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary on Wednesday.
In the video, the Congress worker is seen removing Siddaramaiah’s shoes while holding the Tiranga. Meanwhile, another person at the scene took the flag from the worker’s hands as he continued with the task.
#WATCH | Bengaluru: A Congress worker, with the Tiranga in his hands, removed shoes from the feet of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah earlier today as he arrived to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. A man present at the spot, removed the flag from the worker’s… pic.twitter.com/rjT1AJTXsp— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2024
On Gandhi’s 155th birth anniversary, Siddaramaiah, who is currently under investigation by the Lokayukta police and Enforcement Directorate for the MUDA case, led a march with other Congress leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, from Gandhi Bhavan to the Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
Dressed in white to promote Gandhi’s philosophy, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were joined by other ministers, including state Law Minister HK Patil and Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Carrying national flags and chanting slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram,” numerous Congress workers participated in the march under tight security.
‘Is this Sanvidhan ka samman?,’ asks BJP
In response to the incident, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla condemned it on X, calling it an insult to the Tiranga. He shared a video of the Congress worker and questioned the respect for the Constitution, asking, “Is this Sanvidhan ka samman?”
ACCUSED NO.1 SIDDHARAMIAH ‘VVIP CULTURE’ CAUGHT ON CAMCongress worker ties Siddaramaiah’s shoe laces, while HOLDING THE NATIONAL FLAG, during an event in Bengaluru.
CONGRESS IS BRASHTACHAR KI DUKAANTIRANGE KA APMAANAHANKAR WALI PEHCHAAN
Should Siddharamiah still continue… pic.twitter.com/mPh3uES5er
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) October 2, 2024
He also remarked, “CONGRESS IS BRASHTACHAR KI DUKAAN. TIRANGE KA APMAAN. AHANKAR WALI PEHCHAAN.” Poonawalla further questioned, “Should Siddharamiah still continue after becoming Accused no 1? Where is Rahul Gandhi ? Is this Sanvidhan ka samman?.”
Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra criticised Siddaramaiah and called for an apology from him and the Congress party.
“India, liberated from colonial rule, is now a leading nation in the world. For Congress, concepts like patriotism, the national flag, and national pride have always been seen as a waste of time,” Vijayendra stated in a post on X.
ಗುಲಾಮಗಿರಿಯ ದವಡೆಯಿಂದ ಮುಕ್ತವಾದ ಭಾರತ, ಇಂದು ವಿಶ್ವದ ಮುಂಚೂಣಿ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವಾಗಿದೆ. ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಭಕ್ತಿ, ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಧ್ವಜ, ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ ಭಕ್ತರು ಎಂದರೆ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್’ಗೆ ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಕಾಲ ಕಸ.ಗುಲಾಮಗಿರಿಯನ್ನು ಆರಾಧಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ಸಿಗರು ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಧ್ವಜವನ್ನು ಗಾಂಧಿ ಜಯಂತಿಯಂದೇ ಗುಲಾಮಗಿರಿಯ ಸಂಕೇತದಂತೆ ಕಾಲಕಸವಾಗಿ ಕಂಡಿರುವುದು, ಸ್ವತಃ… pic.twitter.com/8OXQVE0yJz
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) October 2, 2024
“Congress members, who have idolised colonialism, have treated the national flag as a mere symbol, akin to the chains of colonial rule, especially on Gandhi Jayanti. The fact that the Chief Minister has not only failed to condemn this but has instead encouraged such behaviour is an insult to the nation and the national flag,” he added.
