‘Tiranga Yatra' after Operation Sindoor to ‘Har Ghar Tiranga': A look at BJP's tricolour campaigns
Notably, this is the first 'Tiranga Yatra' that the BJP is undertaking after a military operation following a terror attack. However, it is not the first time that the ruling party is using Tiranga as a part of its campaign.
The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign has been an annual feature in the Narendra Modi government's calendar since 2022, which marked the 75th anniversary of India's Independence.
According to the Ministry of Culture, 'Har Ghar Tiranga' is a campaign that started under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the tricolour home and to hoist it to mark India's independence. 'It stemmed from the thought that our relationship with the national flag has always been more formal and institutional than personal. Bringing the flag home collectively as a nation thus became symbolic of not only an act of personal connection to the Tiranga but also an embodiment of our collective commitment to nation-building,' the ministry states on its website.
'The idea behind the initiative was to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the Indian National Flag,' the ministry adds.
PM Modi himself has been a vocal proponent of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. In 2022, he made multiple social media posts to urge people to actively participate in the campaign. 'It is a special 2nd August today. At a time when we are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, our nation is all set for Har Ghar Tiranga, a collective movement to celebrate our tricolour. I have changed the display picture on my social media pages and urge you all to do the same,' he had then said.
Sharing pictures of people in France hoisting the Tricolour in 2023, the Ministry of Culture said, 'Har Ghar Tiranga spirit knows no bounds.'
A BJP leader said the 'Tiranga template' for the party's campaigns had been much older, although its earlier yatras were called 'Ekta Yatras (unity processions)'. For instance, in 2011 – when Article 370 was in place in Jammu and Kashmir – Anurag Thakur, then president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP's youth wing, undertook an 'Ekta Yatra' with the aim of hoisting the Tricolour in Srinagar.
Thakur, 12 years later, said he was jailed for the 2011 yatra, while the Har Ghar Tiranga of 2022 saw the national flag being hoisted atop houses in the Union Territory after the Modi government abrogated Article 370 in August 2019.
In 1991, then BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi also undertook an Ekta Yatra that culminated in him unfurling the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar with Modi at his side.
Vikas Pathak is deputy associate editor with The Indian Express and writes on national politics. He has over 17 years of experience, and has worked earlier with The Hindustan Times and The Hindu, among other publications. He has covered the national BJP, some key central ministries and Parliament for years, and has covered the 2009 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls and many state assembly polls. He has interviewed many Union ministers and Chief Ministers.
Vikas has taught as a full-time faculty member at Asian College of Journalism, Chennai; Symbiosis International University, Pune; Jio Institute, Navi Mumbai; and as a guest professor at Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi.
Vikas has authored a book, Contesting Nationalisms: Hinduism, Secularism and Untouchability in Colonial Punjab (Primus, 2018), which has been widely reviewed by top academic journals and leading newspapers.
He did his PhD, M Phil and MA from JNU, New Delhi, was Student of the Year (2005-06) at ACJ and gold medalist from University Rajasthan College in Jaipur in graduation. He has been invited to top academic institutions like JNU, St Stephen's College, Delhi, and IIT Delhi as a guest speaker/panellist. ... Read More
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
28 minutes ago
- Mint
India, New Zealand conclude second round of FTA talks in Delhi; third round set for September in Auckland
New Delhi: India and New Zealand have completed the second round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), with both sides registering progress across key sectors, the commerce ministry said in a statement on Friday. The discussions, which concluded on 25 July in New Delhi, focused on deepening trade and investment ties and reflected growing alignment on a range of commercial and regulatory issues. The third round is slated for September in New Zealand, the ministry said. The development comes a day after India and the United Kingdom signed a landmark free trade agreement, adding to India's growing portfolio of bilateral trade agreements, including those with Australia and the UAE. The latest talks between India and New Zealand were held from 14-25 July and saw advancement in several negotiating pillars, including trade in goods and services, investment, rules of origin, customs procedures, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and economic cooperation. Negotiators from both sides indicated that early convergence had been achieved on multiple texts, and virtual intersessional meetings will be held to sustain momentum until the next in-person round. The FTA discussions were formally launched during New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to India in March, when he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides announced the launch of negotiations for a free trade agreement as part of efforts to deepen economic cooperation amid growing concerns over a potential global tariff war triggered by US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade stance. Mint was the first to report on India exploring renewed FTA negotiations with New Zealand, in a report dated 26 June 2024. The first round of negotiations between the two countries began in May 2025 in New Delhi. The latest round of talks signals steady movement towards what officials described as a 'balanced, comprehensive, and forward-looking agreement'. India's merchandise trade with New Zealand reached $1.3 billion in 2024-25, up nearly 49% from FY24, albeit from a relatively modest base. Trade analysts said an agreement with New Zealand, while smaller in scale compared with India's deals with the UK and the EU, would help New Delhi stitch a more strategic Indo-Pacific trade network. 'New Zealand is a gateway to the Pacific and has a relatively high per capita import appetite,' said Abhash Kumar, a trade economist. 'A well-negotiated deal will give Indian firms a secure and rules-based market while opening possibilities for trilateral arrangements with Australia or ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).' India is focusing on improving access for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, information technology services, and agri-products, while New Zealand is expected to push for gains in dairy, meat, wine, and education services.
Hans India
28 minutes ago
- Hans India
India proud to be most trusted friend of Maldives: PM Modi
Male: Calling Maldives "important" in India's Neighbourhood First policy and the MAHASAGAR vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that New Delhi takes immense pride in being Male's "most trusted friend" and has stood with Maldives as first responder in times of need. Making a statement to the press along with the Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, PM Modi congratulated the people of Indian Ocean country on the 60th anniversary of its independence and thanked Muizzu for inviting him as the 'Guest of Honour' on this historic occasion. "This year, India and Maldives are also celebrating 60 years of their diplomatic relations. But, the roots of our relations are older than history and as deep as the sea. The commemorative stamps released today display traditional boats of both nations. This reflects that we are not just neighbours but also co-passengers," said PM Modi. "India is the closest neighbour of Maldives. The Maldives holds an important place in India's Neighbourhood First policy and its MAHASAGAR vision. India is proud to be most trusted friend of Maldives. Be it a natural disaster or pandemic, India has always stood with them as first responders. Be it making essential commodities available or handling the economy after Covid, India has always worked together. For us, it is always friendship first," he added. PM Modi emphasised that the increasing cooperation between two nations in the defence and security sector is symbol of "mutual trust." He also spoke about the Defence Ministry Building that is set to be inaugurated and was graced by a giant portrait of PM Modi, on Friday. "Mutual cooperation in the field of defence and security is a symbol of our mutual trust. The Defence Ministry building, which is being inaugurated today, is a concrete building of trust. It is a symbol of our strong partnership," he said. PM Modi announced that India will extend a Line of Credit (LoC) amounting to USD 565 million to the Indian Ocean archipelago. He stated that the two nations have taken several steps to enhance economic partnership. "Last year in October, during the President's visit to India, we shared a vision on Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Partnership. Now, this is becoming a reality. It is a result of that our relations are touching new heights. Inauguration of several projects have become possible. 4000 social housing units, built with India's assistance, will become a new beginning and a new home for several families in Maldives. The Greater Male Connectivity Project, the Addu Road Development Project, and the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo International Airport will transform this entire region into an important transit and economic hub. Soon, with the beginning of ferry system, commuting between different islands will be smoother. After that, the distance between islands will be measured in terms of just ferry time, and not GPS," he said. The two leaders made the joint press statement following their meeting during which they reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Maldives relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties. "To accelerate mutual investment, we are working towards finalising the Bilateral Investment Treaty. We are also in discussions to develop the Free Trade Agreement. Our goal is to move from paperwork to prosperity. With the local currency settlement system, we will be able to have direct trade between Rupee and Rufiyaa. The pace with which UPI is gaining momentum in Maldives, tourism and retail will strengthen," said Prime Minister Modi. He announced that India and Maldives will strengthen regional maritime cooperation through the Colombo Security Conclave and also termed climate change a "major challenge" for both nations. "Peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region are our shared goals. Together, through the Colombo Security Conclave, we will strengthen regional maritime security. Climate change is a major challenge for both our countries. We have decided to promote renewable energy, and in this sector, India will share its experience with the Maldives," he said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Republic Square in Male as he began his official engagements during a two-day State Visit to the country. In a special gesture, President Muizzu welcomed PM Modi at the airport in Male as he arrived from the United Kingdom. Maldives Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister and Minister of Homeland Security were also present at the airport to welcome PM Modi. PM Modi said that he is "deeply touched" by Muizzu's gesture of coming to the airport to receive him. He expressed confidence that the ties between two nations will scale new heights of progress in the coming times. "Landed in Male. Deeply touched by the gesture of President Muizzu to come to the airport to welcome me. I am confident that India-Maldives friendship will scale new heights of progress in the times to come," PM Modi posted on X. PM Modi will participate in the country's 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on Saturday. This is his third visit to the Maldives and notably the first by any head of state or government since Muizzu assumed office.
The Hindu
28 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Revanth Reddy should make way for Ponnam Prabhakar or Mahesh Kumar Goud as CM: BJP president
Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao suggested that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy should quit and hand over the post to his Cabinet colleague Ponnam Prabhakar or PCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, both of them belonging to the Backward Classes (BCs) if he was really sincere about the BC welfare. In an informal interaction with the media at the State party office on Friday, Mr. Rao 'thanked' Mr. Reddy for making the suggestion of making former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya as the next Vice President and said the party will take a call on that and offered his own piece of advice to the CM. The BJP leader has accused Mr. Reddy of insulting the entire BC community with his comments that Prime Minister Modi belonged to a 'converted BC caste' and wanted to know what religion or caste his (CM) leader Rahul Gandhi belonged to. The Chief Minister should be given a 'Goebbels Prize' for all kinds of propaganda he was indulging in, he said and demanded the Congress first fulfil the promise of 42% quota for the BC in the local body polls by amending Section 285 of the Panchayat Raj Act to make it 'legally strong'. Mr. Rao said the Telangana government caste census cannot be a role model for the country when it had reduced the BCs numbers. It was unfair and outrageous to add 'all the Muslims' in the 10% quota out of the 42% BC quota when only a few castes like 'dudekulas', 'hajis' and 'pakirs' were included in the BC-B category earlier. The Congress government has made only two persons from among BC as Cabinet Ministers whereas the majority of Ministers in the Modi Cabinet belonged to BCs, he said. The BJP chief also dismissed about the internal fights in the party as a 'family' issue and said the Central leadership is seized of the issue. He would soon constitute a new State committee with 20 persons and 33% posts would be given to women. There is no pressure on him about the new party posts and wanted the aspirants to go to the people and fight on public issues.
