The seating arrangement at the Republic Day ceremony has triggered a political dispute between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with both sides exchanging allegations in New Delhi.
The Congress and the BJP came into conflict over seating arrangements at the national Republic Day समारोह held in New Delhi, with the issue extending from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the parade ground.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of deliberately insulting the Opposition and undermining constitutional propriety. In response, the BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi showed disrespect to the culture of the North East.
Kharge said that Opposition leaders were seated in the third row during the Republic Day ceremony, despite their seniority and constitutional conventions requiring front-row seating. He described the arrangement not as a personal slight but as an insult to the Constitution.
Kharge stated that, as one of the most senior Opposition leaders in the country, being seated in the third row alongside state ministers reflected a deliberate strategy. He alleged that the BJP was attempting to portray the Opposition as weak with upcoming elections in mind.
Questioning the treatment, Kharge said that if respect for the Opposition cannot be ensured even on the country’s foremost democratic occasion, it raises concerns for democracy. He said that Opposition leaders stood in line to meet the President but were treated differently.
Kharge said the incident amounted to an insult not only to the Congress but to the entire Opposition, describing it as contrary to democratic values.
Responding to the Congress allegations, the BJP raised a separate issue related to the President’s reception ceremony. BJP leaders alleged that Rahul Gandhi disrespected North Eastern culture by not wearing an Assamese gamosa or patka.
The BJP said that President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and foreign guests wore the traditional patka, and Rahul Gandhi’s failure to do so was viewed as deliberate disregard.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma issued a b statement on social media platform X, alleging that while times may change, the attitude of the Congress leadership does not. He said Rahul Gandhi’s conduct reflected insensitivity towards the people of the North East.
Sarma said the traditional patka is not merely a garment but a cultural symbol of Assam and the entire North East, and not wearing it at a Rashtrapati Bhavan event hurt regional sentiments.
Responding to the gamosa allegation, Kharge said Rahul Gandhi had worn the gamosa and folded it while eating, which he said the BJP was unnecessarily turning into an issue. He alleged that the matter was being exaggerated to divert attention from the seating controversy.
The Congress accused the BJP of attempting to corner and discredit the Opposition on multiple fronts, stating that both the seating dispute and the gamosa issue were being viewed through an electoral lens.
The controversy has raised questions over whether political discrimination is occurring even at national ceremonies. The Congress said all parties and leaders should receive equal respect at occasions such as Republic Day.
Kharge said deliberately seating Opposition leaders at the back sends a message that the ruling party does not respect democratic traditions, calling it contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.
BJP leaders said seating arrangements are decided according to established protocol and claimed there was no political discrimination. The party said the Congress was unnecessarily amplifying the issue and maintained that Rahul Gandhi’s failure to wear the gamosa was a substantive matter.
