The BJP claimed that Rahul Gandhi did not wear the traditional North-East ‘patka’ (scarf) at the reception, despite a request from the President. Party leaders said that President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and foreign guests had all worn the patka, and that Gandhi was the only prominent leader who chose not to do so.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma demanded an “unconditional apology” from Gandhi, alleging that such behaviour reflected a lack of respect for the North-East. In a post on X, Sarma said this was one of the reasons the Congress had lost the trust of people in the region and beyond.

The Congress responded sharply, accusing the BJP of manufacturing a controversy. Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned whether the BJP would also seek an apology from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was also seen without a patka at the event. “If this is an insult, the rule should apply equally,” Khera said, adding that the government was diverting attention from public anger by focusing on “non-issues”.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore echoed the sentiment, urging the BJP to stop dragging the President into what he described as petty political disputes. Congress leaders circulated photographs of Rajnath Singh from the event to counter the BJP’s claims.

The row widened after sources quoted by news agency ANI alleged that Rahul Gandhi violated protocol by leaving the reception before the President. According to the sources, Gandhi attended the event briefly, sat with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge instead of standing in the line designated for ministers, and left before the President departed — an action described as contrary to established norms. The sources also claimed that Gandhi did not greet Prime Minister Modi at the event. The Congress has not issued an official response to these claims.

Earlier in the day, the Congress had objected to seating arrangements at the Republic Day function, stating that Rahul Gandhi was placed in the third row behind Union ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw. The party argued that this undermined the dignity of the Leader of Opposition’s constitutional position and went against parliamentary convention.

The episode has once again highlighted the growing friction between the government and the opposition over protocol, symbolism and political messaging at official events.