After Rahul's 'fifth row' seat last year, govt says LoP to sit after ministers on I-Day
The Indian government has confirmed that Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, will be seated immediately after Union Cabinet ministers at the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. This follows previous controversies regarding his seating placement at national events.
Why it matters
It highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition regarding protocol and the recognition of constitutional roles in India's democratic framework.
NEW DELHI: Defence secretary RK Singh on Monday said leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has been invited to the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15 and will be seated immediately after the Union Cabinet ministers."Leader of opposition has been invited, and his seating would be as per the Table of Precedence, which is exactly after Cabinet ministers," Singh told news agency ANI.The clarification comes after Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Rahul Gandhi's seating arrangement during the Independence Day celebrations last year, alleging that he was seated in the "fifth row" and calling the move a display of "pettiness" and a disregard for democratic norms.Officials from the ministry of defence, which organises the event, said the seating was arranged "according to the Table of Precedence".Congress had also accused the Centre of violating established protocol and undermining democratic decorum after Rahul Gandhi…
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