Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP), criticized the Indian government for not honoring the position of Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, who was seated in the back rows during the Independence Day celebrations. Addressing party workers from the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi, Pawar emphasized that the threat to the Constitution persists despite the BJP not securing a majority in the Lok Sabha. He recounted that when he served as LoP, he was seated alongside cabinet ministers, highlighting a decline in respect for democratic traditions under the current government. Pawar asserted that both the Prime Minister and the LoP hold institutional significance and that their respective dignities must be maintained. The Congress party echoed these sentiments, labeling the seating arrangement as indicative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'pettiness'. Overall, Pawar's remarks reflect a broader concern regarding the treatment of opposition leaders in India's political landscape.