Rahul Gandhi skips Red Fort Independence Day ceremony, BJP launches attack

Punjab Newsline | New Delhi

India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day across the country on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurling the national flag at the Red Fort and addressing the nation. However, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was absent from the Red Fort ceremony, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP.

The Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort were attended by several senior leaders and top constitutional and government officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and senior officials including Prime Minister's Principal Secretary P.K. Mishra and Shaktikanta Das were also present at the event.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi criticised Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over their absence. Joshi said Independence Day and Republic Day should be kept above partisan politics and alleged that the Congress leaders had been boycotting such national events for several years.

"When the Prime Minister delivers his speech, he does so as the Prime Minister of the country," Joshi said, accusing Rahul Gandhi of "arrogance" and urging the Opposition to attend national ceremonies.

BJP Questions Rahul Gandhi's Patriotism

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also targeted Rahul Gandhi in a post on social media platform X. He questioned whether a leader claiming to represent the people could stay away from such an important national ceremony.

Bhandari alleged that Rahul Gandhi's absence reflected his alleged dislike for Vande Mataram and said he was not fit to hold the post of Leader of Opposition. He further accused Gandhi of following an ideology that seeks to divide society.

BJP's criticism has added a fresh political dimension to the Independence Day celebrations, with the ruling party questioning the Opposition's participation in national events.