NEW DELHI: Defence secretary RK Singh on Monday said leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has been invited to the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15 and will be seated immediately after the Union Cabinet ministers.”Leader of opposition has been invited, and his seating would be as per the Table of Precedence, which is exactly after Cabinet ministers,” Singh told news agency ANI.The clarification comes after Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Rahul Gandhi’s seating arrangement during the Independence Day celebrations last year, alleging that he was seated in the “fifth row” and calling the move a display of “pettiness” and a disregard for democratic norms.Officials from the ministry of defence, which organises the event, said the seating was arranged “according to the Table of Precedence”.Congress had also accused the Centre of violating established protocol and undermining democratic decorum after Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were seated in the third row during the Republic Day celebrations earlier this year.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAs per protocol, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha has a rank equivalent to that of a Cabinet minister.According to the Warrant of Precedence issued by the President’s Secretariat, seating arrangements at state and ceremonial occasions are decided based on constitutional rank and office, and not political affiliation.The Table of Precedence is a protocol list that applies to state and ceremonial occasions, including national events such as Republic Day celebrations, and has no application to the day-to-day functioning of the government.Under Article 7 of the Table of Precedence, the Leaders of opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are placed alongside Union Cabinet ministers, after the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India and former prime ministers.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Hitting Us On Head, Face’: Police Lathi-Charge Students During Assembly Gherao March In JharkhandModi Govt Going Slow On FCRA Bill To Woo Stalin’s DMK, Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP For Delimitation?Jharkhand Showdown: Protesters Set To Gherao State Assembly; Demand JSSC-CGL Cancellation, CBI ProbeAgni-4 Missile Fills Crucial Range Gap, Bolsters India’s Strategic Deterrence Against ChinaJNU Cancels Venue For Umar Khalid Book Event: JNUSU Alleges Censorship, ABVP Claims CreditJharkhand Govt To Cancel JPSC Exams, But Rejects CGL Demand; Students Insist On CBI ProbeWATCH: Mamata Banerjee’s Car Hit By ‘Large Stones, Shoes’; Bengal BJP Chief Condemns Attack‘Shivling Beneath Darul Uloom Deoband’: Hindu Outfit Plans Ganga Water Offering At Islamic SeminaryBaramati Airfield Runway Excursion: Training Aircraft Veers Off Runway, No Injuries ReportedIN-SPACe Moves To Privatise Operations Of Rs 986-Crore Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport123PhotostoriesOTT releases this week (August 10-August 16): ‘Cocktail 2’, ‘Aakhri Sawaal’, ‘Reacher Season 4’, ‘A Child of My Own’ and moreMr Faisu’s luxurious Mumbai home: Dreamy closet, a massive living room, watch collection and moreWalking isn’t ‘just walking’: 6 ways to make your daily walk work harder for your heart, muscles and metabolism9 strangest street foods from around the world that locals swear byCan you put aluminium foil in an air fryer? 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NEW DELHI: Defence secretary RK Singh on Monday said leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has been invited to the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15 and will be seated immediately after the Union Cabinet ministers.”Leader of opposition has been invited, and his seating would be as per the Table of Precedence, which is exactly after Cabinet ministers,” Singh told news agency ANI.The clarification comes after Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Rahul Gandhi’s seating arrangement during the Independence Day celebrations last year, alleging that he was seated in the “fifth row” and calling the move a display of “pettiness” and a disregard for democratic norms.Officials from the ministry of defence, which organises the event, said the seating was arranged “according to the Table of Precedence”.Congress had also accused the Centre of violating established protocol and undermining democratic decorum after Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were seated in the third row during the Republic Day celebrations earlier this year.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAs per protocol, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha has a rank equivalent to that of a Cabinet minister.According to the Warrant of Precedence issued by the President’s Secretariat, seating arrangements at state and ceremonial occasions are decided based on constitutional rank and office, and not political affiliation.The Table of Precedence is a protocol list that applies to state and ceremonial occasions, including national events such as Republic Day celebrations, and has no application to the day-to-day functioning of the government.Under Article 7 of the Table of Precedence, the Leaders of opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are placed alongside Union Cabinet ministers, after the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India and former prime ministers.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. 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Here’s what happensThe 5 dirtiest things in your house aren’t where you think“Your gut doesn’t get damaged overnight”: Gastroenterologist lists 8 daily habits to avoid and ways to improve gut healthWhich Shiva symbol is best for you; according to your birth numberFrom maah-halodhi to mustard oil: Traditional Assamese beauty rituals to know10 popular foods you probably didn’t know aren’t Indian123Hot PicksKarnataka cauvery disputeNEET PG city intimation slipUttarakhand rainJharkhand protestDevendra Nath MahtoAP EAMCET seat allotmentBrown University ScholarshipAtiq Ahmed sonAssam floodsTop TrendingAhmedabad Rape CaseSurat PG Medical Student SuicideEthanol BlendingTN Cauvery Water DisputeAtiq Ahmed SonHyderabad Hit and Run CaseAssam Floods DeathsAbhijeet DipkeTarun TejpalShakeel Noorani


After Rahul's 'fifth row' seat last year, government says LoP to sit after ministers on Independence Day

NEW DELHI: Defence secretary RK Singh on Monday said leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has been invited to the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15 and will be seated immediately after the Union Cabinet ministers.“Leader of opposition has been invited, and his seating would be as per the Table of Precedence, which is exactly after Cabinet ministers,” Singh told news agency ANI.The clarification comes after Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Rahul Gandhi’s seating arrangement during the Independence Day celebrations last year, alleging that he was seated in the “fifth row” and calling the move a display of “pettiness” and a disregard for democratic norms.Officials from the ministry of defence, which organises the event, said the seating was arranged “according to the Table of Precedence”.Congress had also accused the Centre of violating established protocol and undermining democratic decorum after Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were seated in the third row during the Republic Day celebrations earlier this year.

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