BJP Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Disrespecting North-East Culture Over Republic Day Scarf Row

A fresh political controversy has erupted following the Republic Day celebrations, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing Rahul Gandhi of disrespecting the culture and traditions of India’s North-East region. The allegations stem from his appearance at the customary ‘At Home’ reception hosted at Rashtrapati Bhavan after the Republic Day parade.

According to the BJP, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha allegedly declined to wear a traditional ‘patka’ or scarf representing North-Eastern culture during the event. The party claimed that the scarf was offered as a mark of cultural respect and that Rahul Gandhi’s refusal amounted to an insult to the people and traditions of the region.

The ruling party further alleged that the Congress leader declined to wear the headgear despite requests from Droupadi Murmu, escalating the issue into a matter of protocol and cultural sensitivity. BJP leaders said the incident reflected a pattern of disregard towards regional identities, particularly those of the North-East, which they argued has historically been marginalised.

Senior BJP functionaries described the episode as deeply offensive and accused the Congress leadership of symbolic insensitivity. They asserted that traditional attire offered at national events carries cultural significance and should be respected irrespective of political differences. The party has demanded a clarification from Rahul Gandhi, stating that such gestures matter in a diverse country like India.

The Indian National Congress, however, firmly rejected the accusations, calling them misleading and politically motivated. Congress leaders countered the BJP’s claims by pointing out that several dignitaries at the same event, including Rajnath Singh, were also not seen wearing the traditional scarf. The party argued that selectively targeting Rahul Gandhi amounted to political opportunism.

The Congress further accused the BJP of dragging the office of the President into partisan politics. It said invoking the President’s name in political allegations was inappropriate and urged the ruling party to maintain the dignity of constitutional offices. According to Congress leaders, the controversy was being manufactured to divert attention from pressing national issues.

The party maintained that there was no breach of protocol or cultural disrespect and that attire choices at such events are personal and not mandatory. Congress spokespersons also reiterated that respect for India’s cultural diversity does not hinge on performative symbolism but on policy, inclusion and equal representation.

Political observers note that cultural symbolism has increasingly become a flashpoint in India’s political discourse, especially during nationally significant events like Republic Day. The North-East, with its diverse traditions and ethnic identities, often becomes central to such debates, particularly in the context of representation and recognition.

The episode has once again highlighted the deepening friction between the country’s two largest political parties, with protocol, symbolism and intent becoming contested terrain. While the BJP continues to press its accusations, the Congress has dismissed the row as a distraction tactic aimed at generating headlines rather than addressing substantive governance concerns.

As the political war of words intensifies, the controversy underscores how ceremonial moments are increasingly scrutinised through partisan lenses, turning gestures and appearances into ideological battlegrounds in contemporary Indian politics.