New Delhi, Aug. 15 -- Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday scathingly criticised Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi's absence from the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, asserting that their absence reflects the level of respect and reverence they hold in their hearts for the country's national programmes.

"Their absence reflects the level of respect and reverence they hold in their hearts for our national programs, national pride, and this significant day," Shekhawat told ANI.

Shekhawat's remarks came after Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the Independence Day festivities at the Red Fort, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his customar...