No Delhi, Punjab tableau in Republic Day parade, AAP CM Bhagwant Mann targets Centre

“The Centre has discriminated against Punjab,” said Mann, adding that both Punjab and Delhi are not on the list whose tableaux have been selected.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan in Chandigarh after visiting Fatehgarh Sahib, Mann said they received a letter from the Centre on Wednesday, which shows that Punjab’s tableau has not been included. “The power-mad Centre is demeaning and humiliating the enormous sacrifices made by Punjabis in the national freedom struggle. It is unfortunate that on one hand devotees from across the globe are paying obeisance at Fatehgarh Sahib to pay homage to Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh along with Mata Gujri, the BJP government was playing dirty tactics to humiliate Punjab. This indifferent treatment is unacceptable and unwarranted,” he said.

The CM said tableaux from different states enhance the prestige of this parade, which will be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron. “Every state highlights its legacy but for the past two years, the BJP government has deliberately kept Punjab out of this national event. Almost 90% states that have been selected for tableaus are being ruled by the BJP, which indicates the saffronisation of Republic Day and Independence Day by the Narendra Modi government,” Mann said, adding that by rejecting the tableau this year too, the Centre has rubbed salt into their wounds.

On the reason for rejection, Mann said they were informed only about the list of states whose tableaux have been selected. He said this year the Centre had written a letter to the state “asking our willingness regarding the state’s tableau. On August 4, we wrote a letter of willingness and also mentioned that not just in January 2024, but for 2025 and 2026 also, we expressed our willingness that our tableau be included”.

“The Modi government is suffering from anti-Punjab syndrome due to which they are hell bent on ruining the state,” he said.