Shiv Sena (UBT) Mouthpiece Saamana Accuses BJP of Turning Independence Day Into Political Show

August 15, 2026

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of increasingly turning Independence Day celebrations into a political and publicity-driven spectacle, alleging that the national festival is being projected as an event associated with the ruling party and the Sangh Parivar.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction said that while Independence Day continues to be celebrated as usual, its character has changed over the past decade, with political considerations increasingly influencing the manner in which the national day is observed.

The editorial also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s choice of traditional turbans and attire while addressing the nation from the Red Fort appears to be influenced by upcoming state elections.

Uddhav Sena Questions ‘Tiranga Yatra’

The Saamana editorial criticised the BJP-sponsored ‘Tiranga Yatra’ campaign organised ahead of Independence Day, saying the initiative received extensive publicity and was presented as though the ruling party was the primary protector and promoter of the national flag.

It alleged that campaigns such as ‘Tiranga Yatra’ and ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ have been used to showcase the BJP’s version of nationalism and derive political benefit from the emotional atmosphere surrounding Independence Day.

The Uddhav Sena also drew a comparison with the freedom struggle, saying that organisations that had historically remained away from the freedom movement were now prominently associated with national flag-related campaigns.

The editorial referred to morning processions and satyagrahas held before Independence and alleged that the BJP’s parent organisation was absent from the freedom struggle.

‘Nationalism Being Used as Public Relations Exercise’

The Thackeray faction further alleged that Independence Day, the national flag and ‘Vande Mataram’ were being turned into large-scale public relations exercises.

It questioned the timing and scale of the campaigns, arguing that many of the leaders participating in today’s rallies did not take part in the freedom struggle or face imprisonment, baton charges or sacrifice their lives for India’s independence.

The editorial also referred to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur and claimed that the national flag was not hoisted there for years after Independence despite public criticism.

It cited the display of giant banners and flags at recent rallies, including a 700-foot tricolour reportedly paraded through Nagpur.

‘Political Pressures Mounting’

The Saamana editorial said the intensified nationalist campaigns come at a time when the BJP is facing political challenges and protests at places such as Jantar Mantar.

It claimed that the political atmosphere has changed since 2014, when supporters of Narendra Modi had described the formation of his government as a new dawn for India.

The editorial alleged that, amid changing public sentiment, the ruling party was now spending heavily on cutouts, rallies and nationwide events to strengthen its political image.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) said the growing emphasis on large-scale Independence Day campaigns raises questions about whether national symbols are being used for political gains.