Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP

Rahul Gandhi was seen seated in the firth row, behind Indian Olympic medalists. Star Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, and hockey players, including Indian Captain Harmanpreet Singh and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, were seated ahead of him.

The seating arrangement at the Independence Day celebrations, where Congress's Rahul Gandhi, in a departure from tradition and protocol, was assigned a seat in the second last row, has opened up a new front between the Congress and the BJP. Before the morning's ceremony got over, social media started buzzing with indignant protests from Congress's leaders and supporters. The Defence ministry, which was organising the event, issued a clarification, but failed to stem the tide of criticism.  Modi ji, it's about time you wake up to the new reality post-June 4th. The arrogance with which you relegated Lok Sabha LoP Shri @RahulGandhi ji to the last rows during the Independence Day ceremony shows that you have not learned your lesson.The Defence Ministry's feeble... pic.twitter.com/FZYldFveTQ Disappointed to see the MoD seat Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi ji in the fourth row during #Independence Day celebrations. Opposition leaders like Advani ji and Swaraj ji were shown due respect in the past until 2014.Why is Modiji stooping so low, ⁦@rajnathsingh⁩ ji? pic.twitter.com/uKpz8wm2C5

Protocol dictates that the Leader of the Opposition, who enjoys cabinet rank, is seated in the front row in ceremonial events.  This year, that row was occupied by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Amit Shah, and S Jaishankar among others.

Mr Gandhi was seen seated in the firth row, behind Indian Olympic medalists.  Star Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, and hockey players, including Indian Captain Harmanpreet Singh and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, were seated ahead of him.