- By Priyanka Koul
- Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:59 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Over 200 prominent senior citizens, including former ambassadors, retired army officers, bureaucrats, and senior advocates, on Tuesday called on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to apologise to the nation for his actions in Parliament, claiming they undermine the dignity and effectiveness of the country’s legislature.
In an open letter addressed to the public, signed by 204 distinguished individuals, including 116 retired army officers, 84 former bureaucrats, 4 ambassadors, and 4 advocates, they criticised Rahul Gandhi for sitting on the steps of Parliament with fellow MPs, drinking tea and eating biscuits. They described this as a violation of parliamentary traditions, rules, and the Speaker’s instructions.
The letter, which was released by former Jammu and Kashmir DGP S.P. Vaid, said: "The events witnessed on March 12 are deeply concerning. Parliament is the supreme forum of democratic deliberation where the collective will of the people is articulated. Parliament is rightly regarded as the temple of democracy where elected representatives come together to deliberate on matters of national importance. Unfortunately, Shri Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly contributed to lowering the level of public discourse and decorum through theatrics both inside and outside Parliament."
The signatories demanded that Rahul Gandhi issue an apology, urging him to fulfil his role as a responsible Leader of Opposition (LoP).
"We want him to understand this and apologise to the nation for all that has happened until now. Despite Speaker Om Birla appealing to him to maintain the dignity of the house, Rahul Gandhi doesn’t understand. He has made a laughing stock of himself. We want him to fulfil the role of a responsible LoP. There should be humbleness, not arrogance & a sense of entitlement. What happened on 12th March was deplorable. Rahul Gandhi must understand his responsibility, because people listen when he speaks. The aspirations of the nation rest on the discussion that takes place in Parliament and the laws emerging from it," he told news agency ANI.
The letter emphasised that Parliament is not a place for spectacle or political theatre, adding that Rahul Gandhi’s actions represented a blatant disregard for established norms of behaviour and decorum.
According to a Jagran.com report, former officials criticised Rahul Gandhi’s protest on the steps of Parliament, describing it as completely unbecoming. They stressed that the steps of Parliament are neither a stage for spectacle nor political theatre.
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"Rahul Gandhi, along with several Members of Parliament, was seen sitting on the steps of Parliament having tea and biscuits in a manner that was wholly unbecoming of members of the nation’s highest legislative body. The steps of Parliament are not a venue for spectacle or political theatre. Such conduct within the precincts of Parliament represents a clear disregard for established norms of behaviour and decorum. It reflects an attitude of arrogance and entitlement and a troubling lack of respect for an institution that embodies the democratic will of the people of India," the letter stated.
In addition, former military officers and bureaucrats highlighted the importance of Parliament’s proceedings to the nation and its people, stressing that these should not be disrupted or trivialised in such a manner.
They also warned that Rahul Gandhi’s efforts to challenge the government were tarnishing the reputation of democracy. Drawing from their long careers in public service, they expressed deep disappointment over his repeated misconduct and that of his associates.
The letter concluded by stating that to preserve the credibility of Parliament, accountability must be ensured for all.
On March 12, Rahul Gandhi joined a protest at the Makar Dwar entrance to Parliament. Photos and videos went viral showing him casually sharing tea and snacks with colleagues.