Bengaluru citizen group keeps midnight flag hoisting tradition alive

On the evening of August 14, around 800 people gathered at a school ground in Halasuru to witness the Indian flag being hoisted at midnight. They were participating in an initiative to carry forward Bengaluru’s tradition of marking Independence Day with a midnight ceremony.

This was the third edition of the initiative by Satyameva Jayate, a collective of progressive artistes and citizens from Bengaluru.

“It reminds citizens of the sacrifices made for the freedom we enjoy today. We also highlight the Constitution at the gatherings as it upholds the spirit of independence,” said Vinay Kumar, a member.

According to the collective, freedom fighters, their families, and like-minded citizens have for decades hoisted the flag at the stroke of midnight between August 14 and 15 at Sajjan Rao Circle and Mysore Bank Circle. But participation had dwindled in recent years.

Legacy of resistance 

Metrolife spoke to Jansi Lakshmi Rani K, daughter of the late freedom fighter N V Krishnamachari from Basavanagudi. A social worker, Jansi said the midnight flag hoisting tradition at Sajjan Rao Circle began a year before Independence. It was an act of defiance against British rule and a symbol of the aspiration for self-governance. Her father, along with friends such as Kadri Shamanna, Shamraj Iyengar, Venkata Ramanaiah, H S Doreswamy, and H Narasimhaiah, was part of the momentous occasion.

They hoisted a Swaraj flag featuring a spinning charkha at its centre. It was first raised during the Shivapura Satyagraha in 1938 in Mandya district as an act of resistance. It was used again shortly after, during a protest in Vidurashwatha village, Chikkaballapur district, where police opened fire on freedom fighters, killing at least 32 people. The tragedy is often called Karnataka’s Jallianwala Bagh. The same flag was used during Quit India Movement rallies at Mysore Bank Circle in the city in 1942.

Jansi’s family still has this historic flag, stained with blood from the killings at Vidurashwatha. It was on display at the first edition of Satyameva Jayate’s event, held on the property of a restaurant in Ashok Nagar.

All India Freedom Fighter Samithi, and Lokamanya Sangha initiated the midnight hoisting at Mysore Bank Circle. “They are continuing it at Freedom Park too,” says the 59-year-old.

According to her, the midnight flag hoisting is still in practice at these spots but admits that the interest and turnout isn’t like what it used to be in the past.

Memorabilia

These gatherings would draw about 50 people and feature pledges, flag distribution, cultural skits, and speeches on books, organ donation, and blood donation. The new initiative brings together NGOs promoting constitutional values, along with artistes who perform songs and poetry on harmony, labour, and the futility of casteism, at zero or nominal cost. These events start at 5 pm and go past midnight.

They also display memorabilia from the freedom movement, such as a commemorative copper plate and a charkha belonging to Krishnamachari, and a rare photograph of the Constituent Assembly shared by the family of H R Guruv Reddy, who was part of it. K C Reddy and Kengal Hanumanthaiah from the Mysore state were some of the other members.

This year and last year, the event was held at Halasuru’s RBANM’s High School, run by a trust with ties to both the freedom movement and social justice. “Freedom fighters used to assemble on the school grounds to plan demonstrations against the British. The founders also contributed their jewellery to support Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle in South Africa,” Kumar says.

In these two editions, a photograph of Kasturba Gandhi with the founder’s family, and another of their grand-niece performing Bharatanatyam at the 1947 Independence Day celebrations at Mayo Hall, were exhibited. Also on display was a message from Gandhi commending people for supporting the abolition of untouchability.

Speaking about the impact, Kumar says elderly people who had only heard of midnight flag hoisting in Bengaluru are now turning up. Youngsters are beginning to see Independence Day in a new light. Families of six freedom fighters in the city have contacted them. “One school teacher said her mother was thrilled we are reviving the tradition. Her mother was a young girl when her family hoisted the Indian flag at midnight in 1947,” he shares.

The collective also organises a flag lowering ceremony on August 15. Today, it is scheduled at 6.45 pm on the RBANM’s school grounds.