Now Reading: Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event for Second Year
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Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event for Second Year
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi did not attend the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second year in succession. Prime Minister…
The Story in Brief
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi did not attend the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second year in succession. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national ceremony.
Their absence came amid a dispute over seating and protocol at official events. In 2024, Gandhi was seated near the back, prompting Congress criticism. The Defence Ministry said arrangements had been made to accommodate Olympic athletes. Before this year’s event, authorities said Gandhi would be placed after Union Cabinet ministers under the Table of Precedence. He still did not attend. Kharge also stayed away.
The Indian Opinion
The easy narratives are that the government is deliberately humiliating the Opposition or that Congress is disrespecting Independence Day. Neither claim is established by these reports. Seating at national ceremonies deserves transparent, consistent rules, while elected leaders must decide whether absence serves their constituents. The practical test is simple: publish the seating protocol and apply it equally at the next major state ceremony.
Sources (2): news.abplive.com, indiatvnews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
