Republic Day seating row triggers political sparring as Congress protests, BJP counters
A seating arrangement at the Republic Day parade became a fresh flashpoint between the Congress and the BJP on January 26, 2026. The Congress questioned why Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were seated in the third row, calling it a protocol issue, while the BJP rejected the charge and defended the arrangements.
The ceremonial optics of Republic Day on January 26, 2026 spilled into a political dispute after the Congress objected to the seating assigned to its top leaders at the parade on Kartavya Path. The party questioned why Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were placed in the third row, arguing that the arrangement did not reflect established protocol.
Congress leaders framed the issue as one of institutional respect for constitutional offices and parliamentary positions. They suggested that seating choices at national ceremonies carry symbolism, particularly on a day that commemorates the Constitution and India’s republican framework.
BJP pushes back
The BJP, however, dismissed the allegations and defended the seating plan, portraying the controversy as unnecessary politicisation of a national function. The party said the arrangements were consistent with the event’s protocol and rejected the idea that the placement was intended as a slight.
The exchange added to an already heated atmosphere between the ruling party and the opposition, with both sides using the Republic Day moment to reinforce broader narratives: the Congress emphasising the Constitution and democratic norms, and the BJP accusing the opposition of turning a ceremonial occasion into a partisan issue.
While the disagreement does not alter official proceedings, it highlights how symbolism and protocol at high-profile state events can quickly become political ammunition—especially when televised visuals and guest lists draw nationwide attention.