New Delhi: As the opposition leaders held a meet with the President Ram Nath Kovind to discuss the SC/ST issue, the media tried to get entry inside the President’s House to air for the general public. But the authorities present there denied entry to media.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi reacted to the incident and commented “achche din aa gaye hain”. The comment was an indirect attack on Rahul Gandhi’s Narendra Modi’s 2014 election slogan of ‘achche din’ (Good Days).

“In some time, you will reach there…outside India Gate. Then probably, you will not be allowed to stand even there. Achche din aa gaye hain,” Mr Gandhi said with a sarcastic smile on his face.

Media persons have been continuously complaining that unlike the past, they are being allowed into Rashtrapati Bhavan while a delegation from the opposition party met the president here.

While responding to the queries posed by the media persons, the assigned press secretary for the President of India, Ashok Malik said that media conferences by political leaders are not permitted in the Rashtrapati Bhavan premises and this practice was in place to convey the message of non-partisan nature of the institution.

“Media conferences by political leaders are not permitted within Rashtrapati Bhavan. This norm was put in place by the President after he took office in July 2017, to emphasize the non-partisan nature of the institution. Requests by all political groups are politely declined,” he said in his Twitter post.

From the past, we have seen many occasions in which media personnel were allowed inside the Rashtrapati bhavan to pose queries and record comments of political leaders after they met the president.

The leaders usually spoke to the media in the lawns of Rashtrapati Bhawan, which is near the entry to the President’s House, but this permission was stopped since the time Mr. Kovind took the office from Pranab Mukherjee.

The Rashtrapati Bhawan is the official residence of the President of India, wherein, the President carries on all his duties as per the top post of India.

Even general citizens of India are allowed to pay a visit to Rashtrapati Bhawan. The official website of President Of India gives details into how, when and where can a person pay a visit inside the premises.

An online booking system is given through link on the website which allows any citizen of India to enter the premises. The area is divided into three circuits and each circuit is given details with the day when the visitor can come for a visit.

A photo identity card is required to gain entry into the premises. Even foreigners can also enter the residence after showing their original passports and other procedures.

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