New Delhi: The seating arrangement for Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi at the Independence Day celebrations has ignited a political controversy, with the Congress party accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of demonstrating “pettiness.” Rahul Gandhi, dressed in a traditional white kurta, was placed in the fifth row alongside Olympic medal winners, while senior ministers like Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S. Jaishankar, as well as Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, occupied the front row.
The Ministry of Defence, which organizes the annual event at the Red Fort, stated that the seating was arranged according to the table of precedence and that this year’s arrangement prioritized honoring Paris Olympics medalists as special guests. Official sources clarified that the Leaders of Opposition are traditionally seated in the seventh position, alongside Cabinet Ministers.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal criticized the move, asserting that Modi’s decision reflects an arrogant disregard for democratic norms. “The way Rahul Gandhi was relegated to the fifth row shows that Modi has yet to learn from the Lok Sabha results. It is time he recognizes the new reality,” Venugopal said. He dismissed the Ministry of Defence’s explanation as insufficient, questioning why Cabinet Ministers received prime seating over Olympic champions.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate condemned the government’s actions as indicative of Modi’s “petty-mindedness.” She challenged the claim that the seating arrangement was meant to honor Olympians, arguing that it was an attempt to undermine Rahul Gandhi and the opposition. “While Olympians deserve respect, so do our leaders,” Shrinate said. “This move is a reflection of Modi’s frustration and disrespect for democratic traditions.”
Congress Lok Sabha Whip Manickam Tagore and other party leaders also weighed in, recalling that opposition leaders like L.K. Advani and Sushma Swaraj were given due respect in the past. “Why is Modiji stooping so low?” Tagore asked, questioning the government’s motives behind the seating arrangement.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition, spotlighting how symbolic gestures can become focal points in political discourse. As reactions continue to unfold, the incident adds to the mounting scrutiny of Modi’s approach to political decorum and democratic practices.
