Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Joshi Defends R-Day Seating, Congress Calls It Insult
During the Republic Day celebrations, there was a big argument about where the leaders were sitting.
The Congress party leaders, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, were seated in the third row, which they felt was disrespectful.
They said it was an insult to them and the Constitution.
But the Union Minister, Pralhad Joshi, said that the seating arrangement follows the usual protocol and that even he had sat in the third row before.
He said the Congress is making a big deal out of nothing.
The Congress party said this is a bad sign for democracy and that the BJP is not following the rules.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi defended the seating arrangement for Republic Day, stating it follows established protocol.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader Rahul Gandhi were seated in the third row, which they called an insult to the Constitution.
Kharge questioned why he, as the senior-most leader, was seated alongside state ministers in the back row.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal criticized the BJP for violating constitutional ethics and ignoring protocol.
Joshi ridiculed the Congress for trying to create an issue where none exists, citing his own past experience sitting in the third row.
- Who
- Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal
- What
- Controversy over seating arrangement during Republic Day celebrations
- When
- During the Republic Day event on January 26
- Where
- Kartavya Path, New Delhi
- Why
- Congress leaders allege insult to Constitution and senior leaders; Union Minister defends protocol
- Event
- Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path, New Delhi
- Controversy
- Seating arrangement of opposition leaders
- Union Minister
- Pralhad Joshi
- Congress Leaders
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi
- Protocol
- Seating arrangements follow established protocol
- Congress Accusation
- Insult to Constitution and senior leaders
- Congress Response
- Warning sign for democracy, violation of constitutional ethics
