Why didn’t Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge attend the Red Fort ceremony?

Congress cited dignity of constitutional offices for the absence of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge from the Independence Day ceremony; the BJP sharply criticized the move.

This year, neither Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi nor Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge attended the main Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort. It is the first time since independence that both opposition leaders holding constitutional positions were absent.

Congress spokesperson Dr. Ajay Upadhyay said that by tradition, the Leader of Opposition is seated in the front row with cabinet-rank protocol, after the Prime Minister. Last year, however, Rahul Gandhi was placed in the last row. Calling it an affront to constitutional dignity, Congress maintained that both leaders chose not to attend and instead hoisted the national flag at their respective locations.

According to Upadhyay, this is not about any individual but about respect for constitutional offices. He alleged that the Prime Minister wants to politicize the matter, which Congress does not.

BJP spokespersons R. P. Singh and Shehzad Poonawalla termed the absence a dereliction of constitutional duty and said it disrespects a national occasion. The BJP accused Congress of putting politics above the nation.

The debate has spilled over to social media, with supporters and critics trading arguments. Political analysts believe the issue could echo in Parliament and become a larger electoral talking point in the coming months.