Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, attended the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi on Thursday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his address. This marked the first time a Leader of the Opposition was present at the event, as the position had been unfilled for a decade.

From 2014 to 2024, the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha remained vacant because no opposition party had enough MPs to meet the required threshold. However, following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress increased its seat count, leading to Rahul Gandhi's appointment as Leader of the Opposition on June 25.

As India marked its 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag and delivered his 11th consecutive address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the first of his third term in office. His speech emphasized the vision of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047, reaffirming the government's commitment to major reforms. He also addressed issues such as crimes against women, the Uniform Civil Code, and violence in Bangladesh.

PM Modi highlighted that when policies are aligned with the right intentions and the welfare of the nation is the guiding principle, the country is bound to achieve significant progress.