On August 14 night, nearly 800 people gathered at a Halasuru school ground to witness the Indian flag being raised at midnight, continuing a unique Bengaluru tradition of welcoming Independence Day at the stroke of 12.
The event, organised by Satyameva Jayate, a collective of progressive artistes and citizens, is now in its third year. “It reminds people of the sacrifices behind our freedom and highlights the Constitution’s role in upholding independence,” said member Vinay Kumar.
The tradition dates back to a year before Independence, when freedom fighters like N V Krishnamachari, Kadri Shamanna, Shamraj Iyengar, and H S Doreswamy hoisted the Swaraj flag at Sajjan Rao Circle in defiance of British rule. This flag — stained with blood from the 1942 Vidurashwatha firing, often called Karnataka’s Jallianwala Bagh — is still preserved by Krishnamachari’s family.
Over the decades, midnight hoistings at Mysore Bank Circle and Freedom Park became smaller, with 50 attendees on average. Satyameva Jayate’s revival now includes cultural performances, constitutional awareness, and displays of freedom movement memorabilia — from charkhas and rare photographs to Gandhi’s messages.
Held at RBANM’s High School, a site tied to the freedom struggle, the gathering features music, poetry, and exhibits from 5 pm until after midnight. Elderly residents who once only heard of such ceremonies now attend in person, while younger participants gain a deeper connection to Independence Day.
The celebrations conclude with a flag-lowering ceremony at 6:45 pm on August 15.