Rahul's R-Day seating more about manners than protocols: Khurshid

Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Friday expressed displeasure over party president Rahul Gandhi's sixth-row seat at the Republic Day parade.

Khurshid, while interacting with media at the sideline of Jaipur Literature Festival, hit out at the Centre and said that it is 'unfortunate' that the government does not realise the importance of the leader.

"It's sad if those in power think somebody's stature is decided by where that person is seated. This was more an issue of good manners than protocols. He is the president of the largest Opposition party and if the government do not realize his importance, then it is unfortunate", Khurshid said.

The senior Congress leader also touched the issue of the ongoing protest on the movie 'Padmaavat', saying that the Supreme Court, in its decision, protected the freedom of expression that applies to every movie.

"The Supreme Court has done what is the obvious thing to do. This is not an isolated judgement for one single film, this should be taken as a general view of the freedom of expression. And that applies to everybody", Khurshid said.

"Just as much as the person who wants to say something should be allowed to say that there are people who have an issue with that person should also be allowed to voice it. But all of this should remain within the four walls of permissible limits of free expression", he added.

He continued that free expression that turns violent should not be permitted, adding that "everyone is committed to free expression and not free oppression".