Seating Controversy Erupts at India's Republic Day Ceremony Over Opposition Leaders' Placement

New Delhi. A new controversy has arisen regarding the seating arrangement at the ceremony held at the Red Fort during India's 77th Republic Day celebrations.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the President of the Indian National Congress, has accused the government of insulting opposition leaders by not placing them in the front row. Kharge claims that he and Rahul Gandhi, who hold the rank equivalent to a Cabinet Minister, were forced to sit in the third row.

Kharge expressed anger over the disregard for his protocol, stating, 'I am the most senior leader, Rahul and I have Cabinet rank, but we were placed in the third row where junior ministers and children sit.' He further stated that he had to send his own secretaries to find seating and arrange passes, alleging that the government insulted the constitution, the opposition, and him personally. He has demanded a clear explanation from the government on this matter.

Congress spokesperson Alok Sharma also strongly criticized the government via the social media platform 'X'. He commented that opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who holds the status of a Cabinet Minister, was insultingly sidelined. Congress workers have questioned the government's intentions after pictures circulated on social media showed Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sitting in the front row ahead of Rahul Gandhi.

Foreign guests and dignitaries are usually present at the main ceremony of India's Republic Day. Political analysts view the placement of top opposition leaders in the back rows on such a prestigious occasion as a reflection of the growing distance between the ruling party and the opposition. The BJP-led government has not officially commented on this matter.