Republic Day message: Rahul Gandhi pens letter, urges all to protect the Constitution

 On the eve of Republic Day, Congress President Rahul Gandhi greeted the nation and urged all citizens to protect the constitution of the country to ensure justice, liberty, equality and fraternity for all.

In a written address to the citizens, the Congress chief said, "On this Republic Day, let us renew our lifelong pledge to protect our constitution, the keystone of our cherished Republic and to defend it as one people, whenever it is endangered."

Indicating that the constitution was threatened at present, Gandhi added, "More than ever before in the history of our young nation, we must defend these treasured commitments."

On the eve of our 69th Republic Day, I'm writing this #LettertotheNation, to remind ourselves of the commitments we made in our Constitution.

I wish each of you a very Happy Republic Day!

Jai Hind. pic.twitter.com/VaJ3WOeBqx

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 25, 2018

Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950. 

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has been invited by the government for the Republic Day parade tomorrow, but only to be seated in the fourth row, according to Congress leaders.However, there was no official confirmation on the seating arrangement of political leaders as well as ministers.

"We have come to know that the Congress president has been assigned a seat in the fourth row, unlike in past when they used to occupy a seat in the front row during the Republic Day parade," said a senior Congress leader, on condition of anonymity. The Congress leader alleged that by doing so the Modi government was resorting to "cheap politics". The leader, however, maintained that Rahul Gandhi will be attending the function irrespective of the seating arrangements.