Deliberate insult of Leader of opposition on I-Day function, unfortunate 

During the Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort, a controversy arose concerning the seating arrangement of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. As the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi was placed in the fifth row, sparking a wave of reactions.

Himachal Pradesh’s Public Works Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, voiced his displeasure on social media, condemning the seating arrangement. Singh argued that Gandhi’s protocol, as the opposition leader, should align with that of a central cabinet minister. He described the seating as a blatant insult and claimed it undermined the democratic spirit.

Adding to the controversy, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, who was also assigned a seat in the fifth row, chose not to attend the ceremony. This decision further fueled discussions and debates on social media about the appropriate protocol for such events.

On the other hand, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur downplayed the issue, suggesting that the seating arrangement might have been influenced by the presence of the Indian Olympic team at the event. Thakur dismissed the controversy as a politicized effort to create unnecessary tension.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Sreenet criticized the government, accusing it of intentional disrespect. She argued that Gandhi’s stature as the opposition leader should not be diminished by such actions. Sreenet emphasized that, regardless of where he was seated, Gandhi remains a significant and respected political figure.