Rahul Gandhi and Kharge's Republic Day Seating Sparks Debate Over Protocol

Image Source: Internet

The seating of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge at the Republic Day parade has become a contentious issue once again. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Kharge, the party president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, were seated in the third row, prompting Randeep Singh Surjewala to question the lack of protocol and decorum. According to the Warrant of Precedence, issued by the President's Secretariat, seating at state ceremonies is determined by the constitutional or official position held by dignitaries, not their political affiliation. However, the arrangement of dignitaries in designated VIP enclosures can vary each year due to security, logistics, and the number of attendees. This is not the first time the seating has been a point of contention. In 2018, the Congress objected to Rahul Gandhi's seating arrangement, claiming he was placed in a lower row. The issue resurfaced in 2019, with Gandhi being given a front-row seat after the controversy. Similar debates have occurred at Independence Day celebrations in the past. The Ministry of Home Affairs maintains the Warrant of Precedence, which ranks the Leaders of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha among the senior political leaders. However, they rank below the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Union cabinet ministers. The seating arrangement has sparked debate over the government's adherence to established conventions and the treatment of the Leader of Opposition.