A video capturing a Congress worker removing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's shoes while holding the Indian flag has ignited a fierce backlash, particularly from opposition leaders. The BJP has accused the Congress of disrespecting the national symbol, calling it an affront to the nation’s pride. The incident occurred during an event in Bengaluru commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, where the worker, while holding the Tricolour, took off Siddaramaiah’s shoes. 

The footage, which also shows a member of Siddaramaiah’s security team taking the flag from the worker, has gone viral, drawing widespread criticism on social media. Many called the act distasteful and stressed the need to maintain respect for the flag.

Senior BJP leader Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy expressed outrage, demanding an apology from the Congress, stating, “This is an insult to the nation’s pride and reflects the Congress party’s culture.”

This controversy comes as Siddaramaiah is already facing scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, with the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) accusing him of corruption. The issue centers around the allocation of land plots to Siddaramaiah’s wife, which the chief minister has defended, asserting that the land was a gift from his brother-in-law and denying any wrongdoing.