'An Insult To Army, Constitution': BJP Attacks Rahul Gandhi For Skipping Red Fort I-Day Event

Last Updated:August 15, 2025, 11:39 IST

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge unfurled the national flag at the event, which was attended by party functionaries from across the capital.

Rahul Gandhi at Congress' I-day event. (PTI)

The BJP on Friday hit out at Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for skipping the government’s Independence Day programme at the Red Fort. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Gandhi of insulting the nation and the armed forces with his absence.

“Today, on 15th August, we celebrate our freedom. This is the national day of the country, not the birthday of a person or the programme of a single party. But the Congress has proved it is not the Indian Congress, but the Islamabad Congress or the Italian Congress," Poonawalla said.

He alleged that by avoiding the national ceremony, the Leader of the Opposition had gone “against Modi, against the country, and against the Constitution." Referring to the Red Fort honours for Operation Sindoor and the armed forces, he claimed, “Going against the army has become a common thing for Congress. The Leader of the Opposition has always said he is against the Indian state and does not even consider India a nation."

Poonawalla further said the Congress’s actions amounted to “an insult to the army, the Constitution, the country’s major military operations, and the martyrs and freedom fighters," adding, “Rahul Gandhi has dishonoured the nation. The Supreme Court has already said he does not speak like an Indian. While fighting Modi and the BJP, Rahulji, you have started fighting the country."

Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, marked Independence Day at Indira Bhavan in Delhi, where he joined Congress workers and senior leaders for a flag hoisting ceremony. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge unfurled the national flag at the event, which was attended by party functionaries from across the capital.

“Today, we remember all the freedom fighters whose sacrifices brought us this independence. It is our duty to protect it," the Congress said in a statement. Gandhi participated in the celebrations despite rain, with videos from the event shared by the party and news agencies.

News politics 'An Insult To Army, Constitution': BJP Attacks Rahul Gandhi For Skipping Red Fort I-Day Event

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