A heated political clash erupted after opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge found themselves relegated to the third row during India's 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path, prompting sharp accusations of protocol violations from the Congress party. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala led the charge, questioning on social media whether the arrangement respected any sense of tradition or democratic norms, while MPs like Tariq Anwar decried it as an affront to the Constitution on a day symbolizing national unity. Viral videos captured Union ministers such as Shivraj Singh Chouhan in prime front-row spots, fueling the opposition's narrative of deliberate sidelining.

BJP leaders fired back, with Shehzad Poonawalla mocking Congress's "sense of entitlement" and insisting seats strictly follow the official Table of Precedence, where Leaders of Opposition rank alongside Cabinet Ministers but order is determined by entry date or other neutral factors—not political clout.

India's longstanding Warrant of Precedence, governed by the President's Secretariat, places LoP Lok Sabha (Gandhi) and Rajya Sabha (Kharge) at Article 7, equivalent to senior ministers and chief ministers in their states, but below Speakers and the Chief Justice—applicable only to ceremonial events like parades. Congress countered by citing a 2014 precedent where protocol was allegedly bent, arguing this year's setup undermines opposition stature in a democracy.

Similar controversies have marked past events: In 2018, Gandhi's mid-row placement drew ire before a front-row shift in 2019, and a 2024 Independence Day reshuffle prioritized Olympic athletes. These recurring flashpoints underscore how rigid protocols can clash with political optics in India's vibrant parliamentary arena. As Parliament sessions loom, the episode highlights deepening partisan fault lines, with both sides digging in on what constitutes respect for democratic symbols.