Sun Jan 26 15:53:31 UTC 2025: ## National Flag Falls at Hosapete Republic Day Celebrations
**Hosapete, Karnataka, January 26, 2025** – A major incident marred the 76th Republic Day celebrations in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district, when the national flag fell from a 405-foot tall flagpole just minutes after being unfurled.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:05 am at the Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar District Stadium. Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan had unfurled the flag at 8:50 am. Reports indicate the rope connecting the huge tricolour to the pole snapped, causing it to fall to the ground.
While some onlookers panicked, others quickly retrieved the flag and hoisted it again. Minister Khan later addressed the media, blaming local officials for the lapse and promising strict action. A case has been registered against contractor Nagaraj by Chitwadgi Police. The incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into the maintenance of the flagpole, one of the tallest in the country.
First Piper 