"LOPs can't be insulted like this": Congress flags "protocol mess-up" as Rahul Gandhi, Kharge seated on third row
Jan 26, 2026
New Delhi [India], January 26 : Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused the Central Government of "insulting" the Leaders of Opposition as they were seen sitting on the third row during the Republic Day Parade.
Manickam Tagore questioned this "protocol mess-up," while sharing a photograph of the 2014 Republic Day Parade, when LK Advani was given a seat in the front row in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government.
"This was in 2014--look at where LK Advani ji was seated then. Why this protocol mess-up now? Is it because Modi and Shah want to insult Kharge ji and Rahul ji? Leaders of the Opposition cannot be insulted like this, especially on Republic Day," Manickam Tagore said in a post on X.
https://x.com/manickamtagore/status/2015723585554485726?s=20
Speaking to ANI, Tagore said, " "This shows the mindset of the government and especially PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah... Until 2014, opposition leaders Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, and LK Advani always sat there. This is a very low level of politics by the government. Opposition leaders being insulted on Republic Day is unacceptable. Republic Day is the day when we all should be united and celebrate India's achievements that year."
Senior Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha said in a post on X, "This is sheer lack of protocol and grace!! Maybe too much to expect in present times !!"
Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said, "The country was freed by Congress. Wherever they seat us, this country is ours."
Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala said the seating arrangement "reveals the frustration of a government."
"Does such treatment of the leader of the opposition in the country meet the standards of any decorum, tradition, and protocol? This only reveals the frustration of a government plagued by an inferiority complex. In a democracy, differences will persist, but this treatment meted out to Shri Rahul Gandhi is unacceptable," he said.
Congress leader Kumari Selja said, "It is evident how, time and again, in one way or another, this government tries to belittle the Leader of Opposition and the dignity of his position, whether in the House or outside. Protocols hold great significance... The country takes pride in the Republic Day parade. We celebrate our democracy and its republic... It is clearly visible that they have no faith in the republic or the constitution."
While the opposition party has accused the government of failing to maintain protocol, sources said Gandhi himself did not follow protocol on an occasion as significant as Republic Day.
