MoD makes tableau designs public, no photos of Bhagwant Mann, Arvind Kejriwal included

“In this dynamic process, the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with MyGov, invites citizens to actively participate by sharing their opinions, views, comments, and suggestions on the proposed tableaux designs of States/UTs and Ministries/Departments,” a statement on the website reads.

The seven artworks put on the website, which is still accessible, include two variations of cultural activities showing Punjabi folk dance bhangra, girl sewing ‘phulkari’, tradition of langar, two variations showcasing Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls, statue of Mai Bhago, girls in combat and three variations of freedom movement showing prominent figures like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Jallianwala Bagh etc.

The seven artworks put on the website, include two variations of cultural activities showing Punjabi folk dance bhangra, girl sewing ‘phulkari’, tradition of langar, two variations showcasing Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls etc. (Express Photo)

The website also has designs submitted by the Delhi government which were also not selected. Delhi’s designs included six artworks showcasing variations of Mohalla Clinics and schools.

“AAP government was adam-ant that Kejriwal and Mann’s photos should be on it, which is not allowed as per protocol. This was one of the reasons for the rejection of the tableau,” Jakhar had said in a press conference in Chandigarh. Jakhar was responding to Mann comments of the previous day. Mann had accused the Centre of discrimination against Punjab.

In response to Jakhar’s allegations regarding the photographs, Mann had accused him of lying and said that he would quit politics if the state BJP chief could prove that Punjab government wanted to include his and Kejriwal’s photos in the tableau. Sunil Jakhar reacted to this by saying that he stood by his comments.

In a statement released on December 31, 2023 the MoD had rejected Mann’s allegation of discriminated in selection of tableaus.

The statement said the tableau proposal of Punjab was considered in first three rounds of meeting of the Expert Committee. “After the third round of meeting, the tableau of Punjab could not be taken forward by the Expert Committee for further consideration for not aligning to the broader themes of this year’s tableau,” the statement had said.