NEW DELHI: Criticising the Congress for not participating in the Central government’s Tiranga Bike Rally from Red Fort, which many party leaders have termed as a “political activity”, the BJP on Wednesday said the national flag does not represent any individual or any party.
Speaking to reporters here, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra said the Tricolour belongs to every Indian.
“Celebration of our Independence is a very noble cause and Tiranga represents the dreams, and aspirations of every Indian. We should not politicise it,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Opposition parties did not participate in the Tiranga Bike Rally organised by the Ministry of Culture, which was flagged off by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu from the Red Fort in Delhi.
Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the BJP organised a “political activity” in the name of a non-political event.
In response to his allegations, Patra said, “This was not any party’s event but government’s event. Every Member of Parliament was invited to the event. It’s very unfortunate that this event is being politicised.”
Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq criticised the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign questioning if patriotism can be defined and proved only by hoisting a flag.
The Central government is celebrating the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign from August 13-15 as a part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ being observed on the occasion of the 75th year of Independence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, requested everyone to use pictures of the Tricolour on their social media profiles.
Responding to the Congress’ criticism of changing the Flag Code, Patra said that never before in the history of Independent India had any attempt made to hoist the national flag at 20 crore homes in the country and it was necessary to change the Flag Code in order to ensure supply of flag.
Congress leader Chowdhury, who also heads the West Bengal unit of the party, said that no one should try to lecture the Grand Old Party about respect for the Tricolour.
He lashed out at the Centre for “misusing ED” to defame National Herald and the Congress.
Chowdhury also said that the BJP does not just want just a Congress-free India but also an Opposition-free country.