NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge over their absence from the official Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort on Friday.
Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Mallikarjun Kharge holds the same post in the Rajya Sabha -- both official positions whose holders mostly attend the event.
"Rahul Gandhi, leader of opposition, was missing from the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. At the Congress HQ event, he appeared visibly disoriented. The nation deserves to know — is he well?" wrote BJP I-T cell chief Amit Malviya on X.
He further said, "And why did he choose to skip the official ceremony? For someone in his position, such absence sends a poor message about his commitment to national occasions."
There has been no official statement from the Congress party over the two leaders not attending the Red Fort ceremony.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi greeted the nation on X and wrote: “Happy Independence Day to all countrymen. This freedom, achieved by the sacrifice of great freedom fighters, is a pledge to build such an India — where justice is based on truth and equality, and there is respect and brotherhood in every heart. It is our duty to protect the pride and honour of this precious heritage. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also posted on social media and said, “Heartiest greetings and congratulations to all countrymen on Independence Day. We pay our humble tribute to the countless great freedom fighters who made invaluable contributions to the national movement.
"Today is an important day because we, the people of India, are now fighting for our rights, protection of constitutional institutions, social justice, economic empowerment, and brotherhood. Let us take this struggle forward together and pledge to protect the interests of every Indian. Jai Hind,” he further wrote.
Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Mallikarjun Kharge holds the same post in the Rajya Sabha -- both official positions whose holders mostly attend the event.
"Rahul Gandhi, leader of opposition, was missing from the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. At the Congress HQ event, he appeared visibly disoriented. The nation deserves to know — is he well?" wrote BJP I-T cell chief Amit Malviya on X.
He further said, "And why did he choose to skip the official ceremony? For someone in his position, such absence sends a poor message about his commitment to national occasions."
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, was missing from the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 15, 2025
At the Congress HQ event, he appeared visibly disoriented. The nation deserves to know — is he well? And why did he choose to skip the official ceremony?
For someone in his… pic.twitter.com/bisnjy8WWo
There has been no official statement from the Congress party over the two leaders not attending the Red Fort ceremony.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi greeted the nation on X and wrote: “Happy Independence Day to all countrymen. This freedom, achieved by the sacrifice of great freedom fighters, is a pledge to build such an India — where justice is based on truth and equality, and there is respect and brotherhood in every heart. It is our duty to protect the pride and honour of this precious heritage. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also posted on social media and said, “Heartiest greetings and congratulations to all countrymen on Independence Day. We pay our humble tribute to the countless great freedom fighters who made invaluable contributions to the national movement.
"Today is an important day because we, the people of India, are now fighting for our rights, protection of constitutional institutions, social justice, economic empowerment, and brotherhood. Let us take this struggle forward together and pledge to protect the interests of every Indian. Jai Hind,” he further wrote.
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