During the 78th Independence Day celebrations, a seating arrangement allotted for the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, has been fuming on social media. Usually, the LoP is given a seat in the first few rows due to the cabinet equivalent rank, but, against the protocol, Rahul Gandhi’s seat was placed in the last row with India’s Olympic contingent, sparking fresh outrage among Congress workers and the public.
The Congress leader was seen sitting beside the hockey team and other athletes in the second-last row at the Red Fort event. Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Amit Shah, S. Jaishankar, and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud were found seated in the front row.
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As a LoP, Rahul Gandhi’s seat should be in the front row, as per the protocol, and the government’s approach towards the opposition leader has been met with strong criticism. Several people shared pictures of the Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort when the Congress was in power, highlighting that the senior BJP leaders were given the front-row seats. Noting that the BJP gave a last-row seat to the incumbent leader of opposition, an X user, Roshan Rai, wrote, “This is the difference between class and crass.”
Congress gave front row seats to senior BJP leaders in #IndependenceDay celebrations at the Red Fort when it was in power.
While the BJP has given a last row seat to the incumbent leader of opposition.
This is the difference between Class and Crass. pic.twitter.com/W7mqhv90aI
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) August 15, 2024
SHAME ALERT 🚨
Rahul Gandhi is leader of opposition leading 233 MPs and voice of Indians 🇮🇳
He was given seat in the second last row today at Red Fort behind literally everyone.
BJP should remember that this govt will go one day and Rahul Gandhi will sit there as India PM 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eUNfUmiqFm
— Amockxi FC (@Amockx2022) August 15, 2024