Chhattisgarh Waqf Board Orders Mandatory Tricolour Hoisting Across Mosques, Dargahs, and Madrasas on Independence Day

In a landmark directive ahead of India’s 78th Independence Day, the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board has instructed that the national flag be hoisted at every mosque, madrasa, dargah, imambara, and khanqah in the state on August 15. The move, aimed at fostering unity and reaffirming a shared national identity, has been described by the Board as an opportunity to showcase the deep-rooted patriotism of Indian Muslims.

Waqf Board Chairman Dr. Salim Raj, a senior BJP leader, stated that the Tricolour is not merely a symbol of the nation but an embodiment of pride and honour that transcends religion. He emphasised that the directive seeks to reinforce harmony and brotherhood while erasing any lingering doubts about the loyalty of the community to the nation. According to Raj, more than 70 percent of religious institutions have welcomed the decision enthusiastically, while a few initially hesitated before eventually agreeing to comply.

The state Waqf board said that flag hoisting should be done in the presence of the Imam, mutawalli or mosque committee members.(Pexels) | Hindustan Times

Implementation and Oversight Measures

The Board’s instructions go beyond ceremonial flag-hoisting. Religious institutions have been told to display the flag prominently at their main entrances or gates, with the event conducted under the supervision of the imam, mosque committee, or mutawalli. In a bid to ensure transparency and accountability, the Waqf Board has set up a dedicated online portal and WhatsApp group for submitting photographic or video proof of the ceremony. These submissions must include the location and names of participants and be uploaded within 30 minutes of the flag-hoisting.

The emphasis on swift documentation reflects the Board’s determination to make this directive both meaningful and verifiable. Dr. Raj noted that this system would also help track participation rates and ensure that the initiative does not remain symbolic but is actively implemented across the state.

Responding to Criticism and Broader Significance

While the majority have embraced the move, some scholars and community members have questioned its necessity, pointing out that many institutions already hoist the Tricolour on national holidays. They argue that patriotism should be a matter of personal conviction rather than mandatory compliance. Dr. Raj, however, stressed that such measures are important in the current climate, where misinformation and prejudice can cast unwarranted suspicion on the Muslim community.

He remarked firmly that those who cannot honour the national flag should question their connection to the nation itself, adding that in Bharat Mata’s land, there should be no objection to embracing the Tricolour alongside religious symbols. The directive, he argued, sends a powerful message that faith and patriotism are not mutually exclusive but complementary aspects of identity.

Part of a Larger Reform Effort

This Independence Day directive is not an isolated measure. The Chhattisgarh Waqf Board has recently undertaken several reforms under Dr. Raj’s leadership. In June 2025, the Board capped the nikah (marriage solemnisation) fee at ₹1,100, aiming to protect economically weaker sections from exploitation. The Chairman has also been a vocal supporter of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which seeks to digitise waqf property records, recover encroached assets, and broaden representation in waqf governance to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

These steps, Dr. Raj explained, are part of a long-term vision to make the Waqf Board more inclusive, efficient, and closely aligned with national values. By combining administrative reforms with symbolic acts like the Independence Day directive, he hopes to strengthen both institutional trust and societal cohesion.

Conclusion: A Message Beyond the Flag

The Chhattisgarh Waqf Board’s Independence Day order is as much about symbolism as it is about social integration. By mandating the hoisting of the Tricolour in religious spaces, it seeks to send a message that love for the country is not bound by faith. For supporters, it is a timely reaffirmation of unity in a diverse nation; for critics, it raises questions about the line between encouragement and compulsion.

Yet, regardless of differing opinions, the initiative ensures that on August 15, mosques, madrasas, and dargahs across Chhattisgarh will stand adorned with the national flag—a shared emblem of independence, pride, and the enduring idea of India.

(Sources: Times of India, Hindustan Times, Economic Times)