More than 200 retired armed forces officers, former civil servants, including diplomats, and lawyers on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) demanded that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, apologise to the nation, alleging that his conduct inside the Parliament complex was in “violation of decorum and institutional dignity”.
The signatories, in an open letter, said Mr. Gandhi’s actions on March 12 were in “deliberate defiance of the Chair”, and showed disregard for parliamentary authority. They said the Opposition led by Mr. Gandhi disregarded the Speaker’s explicit instructions.
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“Such deliberate defiance of the Chair does not merely violate procedures; it reflects a conscious disregard for parliamentary authority and a willingness to place personal political theatrics above the dignity of a Constitutional institution,” the letter said, demanding an apology from Mr. Gandhi.
The signatories alleged that Mr. Gandhi and other MPs organised a protest on the steps of Parliament despite the Speaker’s direction against any such demonstration within the premises.
