Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge skip Red Fort I-Day event for second year in a row, BJP calls it ‘childish’

Rahul Gandhi Mallikarjun Kharge Skip Red Fort I-Day Event for Second Year

Theindiapostdaily.com – Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi Mallikarjun Kharge skip the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort on Saturday, marking their second consecutive absence from the ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his customary address to the nation during the event, while the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Leaders of Opposition remained notably absent. According to a India Today report, the decision to skip the event stemmed from ongoing concerns about protocol and seating arrangements at official functions.

The controversy surrounding the Congress leadership’s absence traces back to the 2024 Independence Day celebrations. During that event, Rahul Gandhi, who had recently assumed the role of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, found himself seated in the second-last row at the Red Fort, as reported by a Hindustan Times report. The Congress party strongly objected to this arrangement, maintaining that the LoP traditionally occupies a front-row seat alongside senior government functionaries. The Defence Ministry defended the decision, stating that the seating plan had been modified to accommodate Olympians attending the ceremony that year.

BJP Criticizes Congress Absence as ‘Childish’

The Congress leaders’ decision to skip the Red Fort event drew sharp criticism from the ruling party. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took to social media to question whether a Leader of Opposition could voluntarily miss such a significant national ceremony. “Rahul Gandhi misses being present at Red Fort. Can any patriotic LOP, or an individual holding public office, commit such a voluntary act?” Bhandari wrote in a post on X. He further alleged that Gandhi’s decision reflected the mindset of a “Dimagi Naxal” ecosystem.

Union minister Giriraj Singh also weighed in on the controversy, calling the absence a “childish act” that did not befit the positions held by the Congress leaders. “I think this is a childish act. It does not befit the position they hold, especially when the country is celebrating Independence Day,” Singh stated. He drew a comparison with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, noting that Vajpayee had consistently attended Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort even when serving in the Opposition.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh directed his criticism toward Prime Minister Modi, particularly regarding the PM’s reference to “dimaagi naxals” in his Independence Day address. “First he called his opponents ‘urban naxals’. Now he calls them ‘dimaagi naxals’. It is a sure sign of his desperation,” Ramesh commented on X. The Congress and BJP have maintained their disagreements over how opposition leaders are treated at official events, with the Congress also raising objections about seating arrangements during Republic Day celebrations, where Gandhi and Kharge were reportedly placed in the third row.

This latest development comes shortly after the conclusion of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, which witnessed repeated disruptions between the BJP-led Centre and Congress-led Opposition over various issues. The ongoing dispute highlights the growing tension between the two major political parties regarding protocol and representation at national events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge skip the Red Fort event? The Congress leaders skipped the ceremony primarily due to concerns about protocol and seating arrangements at official functions, following a similar dispute during the 2024 Independence Day celebrations.

How long has this been happening? This marks the second consecutive year that both leaders have been absent from the Red Fort Independence Day celebrations, with the first instance occurring in 2025.

What was the BJP’s response to the absence? The BJP criticized the move as a “childish act,” with spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari and Union minister Giriraj Singh both questioning whether such a decision was appropriate for leaders holding public office.

What is the Congress’s position on the seating arrangements? The Congress maintains that the Leader of Opposition traditionally occupies a front-row seat alongside senior government functionaries, and has consistently objected to what they perceive as inadequate recognition of their positions.

When did this controversy begin? The controversy gained momentum during the 2024 Independence Day celebrations when Rahul Gandhi was seated in the second-last row, and has continued through subsequent events including Republic Day and the Monsoon Session of Parliament.