{
  "id": 1004804,
  "title": "Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge skip Red Fort I-Day event for second year in a row, BJP calls it 'childish'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/rahul-gandhi-mallikarjun-kharge-skip-red-fort-i-day-event-for-second",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T09:10:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/india/rahul-gandhi-mallikarjun-kharge-skip-red-fort-i-day-event-for-second-year-in-a-row-bjp-calls-it-childish-11786784472102.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge did not attend the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort this year, continuing a two-year tradition of their absence. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Leader of Oppositions cited concerns about protocol and seating arrangements as the reason for their non-participation. The BJP branded their absence as \"childish\" and questioned the propriety of a Leader of Opposition skipping a national ceremony. The Congress argued that tradition dictates the Leader of Opposition should occupy a front-row seat alongside senior government officials. The controversy echoes a disagreement from the previous year, when Rahul Gandhi's seating arrangement was also disputed.",
  "summary": "Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the Red Fort Independence Day celebrations for the second year in a row. Sources cited protocol and seating concerns, while the BJP criticised their absence.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge skipped 80th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort.",
    "Congress cited protocol and seating arrangement concerns for their absence.",
    "BJP labeled their non-participation as childish and questioned propriety."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Rahul Gandhi gets privilege notice over his ‘grave allegations’ against Amit Shah",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/rahul-gandhi-gets-privilege-notice-over-his-grave-allegations-against",
        "published": "2026-08-15T10:08:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}