Overview
- At the January 26 parade in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were placed in the third row, which Kharge described as being behind children and next to ministers of state.
- Kharge called the seating an insult and demanded an apology from the government.
- Congress general secretary K C Venugopal alleged constitutional protocol was ignored, noting the leaders hold cabinet rank and pointing to a tradition of front‑row seating for opposition leaders.
- Venugopal characterized the decision as politically motivated and a warning for democratic norms, asserting that the Opposition represents 65% of the population.
- Union minister Pralhad Joshi rejected the criticism, saying seating follows established protocol and noting he has also sat in the third row, with no apology from the government reported.