Rahul Gandhi was sitting in the 5th row,This is the list which decides who will sit where in the 15th August program?

The seating arrangement for the flag hoisting ceremony to be held at the Red Fort on August 15 is in discussion. In fact, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was seen sitting in the fifth row at the Red Fort and Olympic players were seated next to him. Now a controversy has arisen over Rahul Gandhi being seated at the back seat. This was the first time that Rahul Gandhi had reached the Independence Day program organized at the Red Fort as the Leader of the Opposition. Now, from social media to Congress leaders, everyone is raising questions about the seating arrangement. Also, many people say that the Leader of the Opposition’s seat is in the front.

In such a situation, the question is how is it decided who will sit where during the flag hoisting ceremony on 15 August at the Red Fort? If we look at it according to the normal protocol, where does the Leader of the Opposition rank among the senior people?

Let us tell you that the responsibility of organizing national programs and seating arrangements in such events is that of the Defense Ministry. In every program, seat arrangement is done on the basis of seniority. Seniority is decided on the basis of the Table of Precedence list of the Home Ministry. Protocol is decided on this basis and seniority of politicians and officers is decided.

In this list determined by the President, the President of India comes first. After this, the posts of Vice-President of India, Prime Minister, Governors of states, former President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker etc. are followed. Then come the posts of Union Minister, Union Minister of State, Deputy Chairman of NITI Aayog, former Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha-Lok Sabha.

According to the Table of Precedence, Union Ministers and Leader of Opposition have been given equal status. After these posts come Bharat Ratna awardees, Chief Ministers etc. Sometimes changes are made in this during special occasions. Like this time Olympic players were given special place. You can also see in this list which post comes where on the basis of seniority.

After the controversy over Rahul Gandhi’s seat, the Defense Ministry has also responded to it. The Defense Ministry says that during the Independence Day program, arrangements were made for Olympic medal winning players to sit in the front rows, due to which Rahul Gandhi was made to sit in the back row. Otherwise, according to the protocol, the leader of the opposition is made to sit in the front row.

Let us tell you that during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sonia Gandhi, as the leader of the opposition at that time, was always made to sit in the front row in such events. However, due to the post of Leader of Opposition being vacant for 10 years, no arrangements were made for anyone.