A political controversy erupted on Independence Day 2025 after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge chose not to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ceremonial address at the Red Fort, an event traditionally witnessed by parliamentarians from across the political spectrum. Their absence led to sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress of disrespecting the Prime Minister, the national flag, and more specifically Operation Sindoor, which was the central theme of this year’s Independence Day celebration.

Several BJP leaders pointed out that the Independence Day event is a national function, not a political rally, and argued that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha should have been present to uphold democratic decorum. They accused the Congress of repeatedly boycotting major national events to score political points and claimed that this was in line with earlier decisions by the Congress to skip events such as the new Parliament building inauguration and the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha.

The controversy intensified after the BJP described the absence of Rahul Gandhi and Kharge as a continuation of Congress’s “disrespect of sindoor”—a phrase party leaders used to suggest Congress has regularly questioned the legitimacy of patriotic and cultural initiatives taken by the Modi government.

In response, the Congress issued images of both Rahul Gandhi and Kharge unfurling the Tricolour at the party headquarters in Indira Bhawan earlier in the day. Party insiders pointed out that Rahul Gandhi had attended last year’s Red Fort event but was seated behind several ministers, triggering criticism from within the Congress.

According to party sources, top Congress leaders believe that the Independence Day platform is increasingly being used for political messaging, citing the Prime Minister’s references to the RSS and the Emergency during this year’s address as evidence of politicisation.
The party also defended its decision by noting that Rahul Gandhi has raised key questions in Parliament regarding Operation Sindoor, including how many jets were downed and whether the ceasefire decision was influenced by the United States.

The BJP, however, alleges that such remarks “embolden Pakistan” and equated them with anti-national rhetoric, while also insisting that Pakistan itself requested a ceasefire after India completed its strategic goals under Operation Sindoor.

By Tuesday afternoon, the issue evolved into a full-blown political face-off, with BJP spokespersons appearing on news channels labelling the Congress decision as “disrespectful and irresponsible”. Congress leaders countered by arguing that attending such events had become “symbolic” and that the focus should remain on genuinely honouring national heroes and safeguarding democratic values.

The sharp exchange underscores the deep political divide between the ruling BJP and the principal opposition Congress, even on occasions of national significance. While ordinary citizens marked the day with patriotic fervour, the absence of the two senior Congress leaders at the Red Fort became a fresh flashpoint in India’s increasingly polarized political landscape.

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