India Republic Day Seating Dispute

A political dispute erupted in India after the India — Indian National Congress accused the India — Bharatiya Janata Party government of insulting its leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, by seating them in the third row during the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path. Congress leaders, including Randeep Surjewala, Vivek Tankha, and Manickam Tagore, shared images and posts on X, questioning the protocol and decorum. They argued that such treatment was an insult not only to the individuals but also to constitutional institutions. The India — Bharatiya Janata Party, through its spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, rejected the charges, stating that seating arrangements followed the Warrant of Precedence and accused the India — Indian National Congress of having a sense of entitlement. Mallikarjun Kharge was later moved to the front row. This incident reignited past controversies regarding seating arrangements for opposition leaders at national events.