BJP Hits Out at Rahul Gandhi for Skipping New CJI’s Oath Ceremony

The swearing-in of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India was meant to be a moment of constitutional reverence, drawing together the highest offices of the nation. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, senior ministers, and top judicial figures. Yet the absence of one key political figure — Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha — quickly became the central talking point of the day. His no-show triggered a fierce political exchange, with the Bharatiya Janata Party seizing on the moment as evidence of what it called the Congress leader’s “habitual disregard” for national institutions.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya says Rahul Gandhi was 'missing yet again' during an important national ceremony | Moneycontrol

BJP’s Sharp Response and the ‘Missing LoP’ Narrative

Soon after the ceremony, BJP leaders moved swiftly to question Rahul Gandhi’s absence. Amit Malviya, head of the party’s IT cell, claimed that the Leader of the Opposition was “missing once again during a major constitutional occasion” and argued that his skipping the event reflected poorly on his commitment to the democratic framework. The criticism was amplified by BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who mocked Gandhi’s whereabouts, asking whether he was on a “jungle safari or foreign tour” while the country witnessed an important judicial transition. He also drew attention to previous instances where Congress leaders were missing from key national events, reviving the accusation that the party prioritises “khandaan over samvidhan.”

Across legal and political commentary platforms, the criticism took on a symbolic tone. Commentators noted that failing to attend the CJI’s oath — a ceremony deeply tied to constitutional continuity and judicial respect — allowed the BJP to position Congress as emotionally disconnected from the institutions it claims to defend. Some political observers also highlighted the timing: Congress is entangled in internal instability, particularly in Karnataka, which BJP leaders say is further worsened when Rahul Gandhi remains unavailable even during critical national moments.

A Growing Pattern or Political Overreach?

Rahul Gandhi’s absence did not occur in isolation. Media reports and political statements referenced earlier incidents — such as missing Independence Day and Republic Day ceremonies — to argue that the Congress leadership has shown a pattern of disengagement from national rituals. The BJP has used these instances to shape what it calls a “larger narrative of neglect,” portraying Gandhi as an inconsistent participant in the nation’s constitutional life.

However, Congress has not yet issued a clarification on Gandhi’s whereabouts or reason for his absence, leaving the field open for political speculation. Critics outside the BJP have questioned whether such ceremonies should become opportunities for partisan attacks, suggesting that turning institutional events into political battlegrounds may do more harm than good. Still, without an official explanation, the dominant narrative is being shaped entirely by the BJP’s framing.

The Symbolism of the Oath Ceremony

The swearing-in of a Chief Justice is not merely a protocol event; it is a public reaffirmation of India’s judicial independence and constitutional spirit. Justice Surya Kant’s term, which will run until February 2027, marks a significant phase for the Supreme Court, especially as it navigates sensitive constitutional cases and institutional reforms. The presence of government and opposition leaders traditionally reflects unity in upholding constitutional values. This is why the absence of the Leader of the Opposition carries weight — symbolically, it disrupts the bipartisan respect expected on such occasions.

For the ruling party, this symbolism becomes politically potent. By highlighting the absence, the BJP positions itself as the defender of constitutional rituals, while portraying Congress as indifferent. In a political environment where moral positioning carries as much power as material governance, such symbolic battles matter.

The MGMM Outlook

The controversy surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Surya Kant has once again highlighted the widening gap between the Congress leader and the constitutional responsibilities expected from someone holding the position of Leader of the Opposition. At a moment when the nation witnessed a transition at the top of the judiciary — with the President, Prime Minister, Vice-President, senior ministers, and leading jurists in attendance — Rahul Gandhi’s no-show handed the BJP a ready-made opportunity to expose what they call his chronic indifference to national institutions. Instead of demonstrating seriousness and respect towards a ceremony that embodies the spirit of India’s constitutional framework, Gandhi allowed questions to resurface about whether he ever prioritises public duty over personal comfort. BJP leaders quickly capitalised, pointing out that this is not an isolated instance but part of a long pattern where India’s most important national events fail to find a place in his schedule.

For a leader who routinely claims to defend constitutional values, Rahul Gandhi’s behaviour repeatedly signals the opposite — a detachment that weakens not only his credibility but also the Congress party’s already fragile public image. At a time when his own party is battling internal turmoil, especially in Karnataka, his unexplained absence further reinforces the impression that he is a reluctant and inconsistent participant in India’s democratic process. The BJP’s framing — that Gandhi is more committed to vacations and foreign tours than institutional respect — gains strength each time such moments arise without clarification from Congress. By failing to be present at solemn national occasions like the CJI’s swearing-in, Gandhi inadvertently strengthens the narrative that he treats public office casually, leaving the political field wide open for his opponents to define him as a leader who cannot be relied upon when the nation expects responsibility, seriousness, and presence.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, Times of India, Hindustan Times)