BJP Leader Sparks Controversy Over Saffron Flag Proposal

A fresh controversy erupted after a senior BJP leader proposed replacing the Indian national tricolour with a saffron flag, citing it as a symbol of India’s ancient culture and Hindu heritage. The statement was made during a public event, where the leader argued that the saffron flag, often associated with Hinduism and spiritual traditions, better represents the soul and identity of the nation than the current tricolour, which was adopted after independence. This remark has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society, who see it as an attack on the secular and inclusive foundation of the Indian Constitution.

Political parties like the Congress, TMC, and Left accused the BJP of attempting to saffronize national symbols and undermine India’s democratic values. Constitutional experts also pointed out that the national flag is protected by law, and any attempt to alter it would be not only illegal but deeply divisive. The BJP leadership, however, has not officially endorsed the comment, with some party spokespersons distancing themselves from the leader’s view, stating that it was a personal opinion and not the party’s stand.