Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. Rahul Gandhi, who holds the position of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and is a Congress MP, was present at the event, but his seating arrangement stirred controversy.
Rahul Gandhi assumed the role of Leader of Opposition after the INDIA bloc leaders appointed him during a meeting at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in June. In the recent 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi won seats in Wayanad, Kerala, and Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, while the Congress party became the largest opposition party with 99 seats. This elevated his position among the INDIA bloc leaders.
Controversy Over Seating
At the Red Fort, Rahul Gandhi was seated in the second-to-last row, alongside Olympic medallists such as Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, as well as members of the Indian Men’s Hockey team who won a bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In contrast, the front rows were occupied by Union Ministers like Amit Shah, S. Jaishankar, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.
The seating arrangement attracted criticism as the Leader of Opposition is generally considered to hold a rank equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister. Critics pointed out that during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, Sonia Gandhi, then Leader of Opposition, was always seated in the front row.
Government’s Explanation
The Ministry of Defence, responsible for organizing the Independence Day event and arranging the seating, clarified that the Leader of Opposition was officially given a front-row seat in accordance with protocol. However, Rahul Gandhi opted to sit with the Olympians in the row behind, as he preferred to be among the athletes. Sources from the Defence Ministry confirmed that Gandhi chose to be seated with the Olympians.
Rahul Gandhi Reflects on 50 Days as Leader of Opposition
On reaching 50 days as Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi emphasized that the role is more than a constitutional position; it represents the “voice of millions of Indians.” He stated, “As the Leader of the Opposition, my primary responsibility is listening to the hardships of India’s poor, marginalized, and suffering people, understanding their problems, and finding solutions for them. Then, by raising their voices from the streets to the Parliament and putting pressure on the government, I work towards addressing these issues.”
Reflecting on his experiences over the past 50 days, Gandhi shared, “In the past 50 days, I have met with many individuals and communities struggling with problems. Everyone spoke openly and I listened to their concerns. I presented the issues of each group to the government, proposed solutions, and assured my fellow Indians that no matter who they are or what their constraints may be, their voices will be heard and they will be provided a proper platform to express them.”
Gandhi concluded, “Whether in opposition or in power, wherever I am, I am yours and will remain so—continuously raising the voice of India and Indians.”