Republic Day preparations on, Centre and Opposition-ruled states spar over rejection of tableaux

The Centre, however, has stuck to its decision, issuing clarifications regarding the disqualifications.

Here’s a look at all that has happened surrounding this year’s upcoming Republic Day celebrations:

Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused the Centre of insulting Kannadigas by denying the state a tableau presentation at the Republic Day parade and also alleged bias against the Congress-led state government.

In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said that the proposal for the tableaux included showcasing the life of Mysuru ruler Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, Kittur Rani Chennamma who fought against the British. There was also a proposal for including a tableau on the life of Bengaluru founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, he stated.

We had also sent proposals to depict the contributions of Kittur Rani Chennamma and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda too along with the proposals to showcase Karnataka’s rich nature and Brand Bengaluru However, the Central Committee rejected our request, depriving us of the opportunity to introduce the nation to our state’s immense achievements and exemplary figures.

The Chief Minister compared it to the situation from the previous year when Karnataka’s tableau was first turned down but eventually allowed, likely due to considerations related to the Karnataka elections.

“Now, by denying the state the opportunity in the tableau presentation, it has attacked our identity again,” Siddaramaiah alleged.

He also questioned the loyalty of Karnataka’s BJP MPs, asking whether they had become “puppets of Narendra Modi.”

The Central Government has insulted the seven crore Kannadigas by denying the opportunity for the state’s tableau at the Republic Day parade to be held in New Delhi on January 26th. Karnataka faced similar situation even last year as our state’s tableau was initially rejected.…

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 9, 2024

Punjab:

Punjab’s Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann also criticised the BJP-led Centre for excluding the state’s tableau from the Republic Day parade and said that they were suffering from anti-Punjab syndrome.

“The Modi government is suffering from anti-Punjab syndrome due to which they are hell-bent on ruining the state,” he said, accusing the Centre of deliberately keeping kept Punjab out of the national event.

Mann said that Punjab’s tableau had not made the cut despite the state’s submission of three proposals and detailed designs, including themes like Punjab’s history of sacrifices, women empowerment with Mai Bhago’s story, and the state’s rich cultural heritage.

“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 had said in a press conference after receiving a letter from the Centre stating the non-inclusion of the state’s tableau.

Alleging saffronisation of the Republic Day and Independence Day events, Mann said, “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 further said that the state tableau rejected for Republic Day will be paraded across the state after January 26. The tableau depicts the contributions of freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, and Lala Lajpat Rai, he said.

Delhi:

Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party has accused the Centre of scuttling the Delhi government’s plans of showcasing its health and education models at the Republic Day by rejecting its tableau.

The party termed the move as politically motivated. In a press conference on December 28, the party’s national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said the government was not provided any reason for the exclusion.

She said that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal wanted to present the state’s model of governance to the country. “In this model, the inflation is the lowest in the country and the per capita income is the highest. You get 200 units of free electricity, and the cheapest power in the country. 30 flyovers that cost less than estimated have been built, saving Rs 557 crore. It has the highest number of EV charging stations. Delhi has 1,300 disabled-friendly e-buses. The pride of the Delhi model is education and health… We wanted to showcase the transformation in these sectors in the republic tableaux but this was not to be,” she said.

According to a PTI report, Kakkar also claimed that the tableaux of BJP-governed states like Assam, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh have been given opportunities to showcase their tableaux continuously for the last five years.

Meanwhile, after the state tableau was rejected by the Centre, the Delhi Government put out a circular saying that Delhi schools will celebrate Republic Day at the Chhatrasal Stadium in Model Town on January 25 in presence of CM Arvind Kejriwal.

“State Republic day function will be organised on behalf of Delhi government at Chhatrasal Stadium, Model Town, Delhi on January 25. The Chief Minister will unfurl the national flag. Every year, school children from Delhi schools take part as flag marchers, band contingents and cultural performers,” the circular said.

Reasons given by the Centre for rejecting the tableaux:

According to an ANI news report, Ministry of Defence sources have said that tableaux of Punjab and West Bengal were rejected as they did not align with the “broader themes” of this year’s tableau.

According to the sources, the tableau proposal of Punjab was considered in the first three rounds of meetings of the Expert Committee. Meanwhile, the tableau proposal of West Bengal was considered in the first two rounds of meetings of the Expert Committee.

How are the tableaux selected?

The Ministry of Defence oversees the selection process for Republic Day parade tableaux. Initially, an expert committee is formed, comprising eminent individuals from diverse artistic fields like art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, and choreography.

Upon receiving tableaux proposals from different states and organisations, these submissions undergo a thorough evaluation in multiple sessions conducted by the expert committee. Initially, the committee scrutinises the sketches or designs, offering suggestions for potential modifications.

Once the committee approves the designs, the participants are requested to create 3D models of their proposals. However, this step doesn’t automatically secure selection for the tableau in the parade. The committee subsequently reviews these 3D models for the final selection, ensuring that only one tableau per organisation is chosen for the Republic Day parade.

Women contingent at R Day:

This year’s Republic Day parade will include two all-women contingents from the Defence forces.

“One contingent, including 144 personnel, would have all women soldiers, including 60 from the Army and the remaining from the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy,” defence officials were quoted saying by news agency ANI.

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In anticipation of the historic 75th Republic Day in 2024, a full dress parade rehearsal unfolded at Kartavya Path in the early hours of January 9. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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Braving the chilling morning, the Indian Navy and paramilitary personnel showcased their precision and coordination, contributing to the grandeur of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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For most Indians, the parade in New Delhi remains Republic Day’s most enduring symbol. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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A grand show of India’s military might, as well as its diverse culture, the Republic Day parade holds a close place in many Indian hearts. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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With rising nationalism in Europe in the 19th century, military parades became national symbols that were supposed to capture the collective frenzy of a nation’s inhabitants into feelings of nationalism. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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As India gained its independence, it continued with many erstwhile British traditions – the parade being one of them. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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A military parade marked India’s first Republic Day in 1950. Leaders saw it as a day of victory for the Indian state and its people. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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As the parade shifted from Irwin Amphitheatre (presently known as the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium) to Rajpath (now Kartavya Path), its scale grew grander. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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In its new setting, the imagery of the parade was also different, replete with colonial symbols that were being reimagined as national images. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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The iconic tableaux became an integral part of the event, becoming symbols of India’s diverse culture. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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The tableaux showing various states were introduced as a way to celebrate India’s differences while espousing a coherent national identity. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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For many Indians, the military parade is also an expression of their regional identities. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

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At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations. (Express Photo by Chitral Khambhati)

Notably, this unit will also include women Agniveer soldiers from the Navy and Air Force.

Additionally, another all-women contingent from the Directorate General of the Armed Forces Medical Services will march, led by women doctors and consisting of nurses from the military nursing services.

Proud to don the Blues.

Proud to march together.

Proud to be a part of #RepublicDay 2024.#AgniveerVayu#AgniFemPower pic.twitter.com/1tuJyAEMR1

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 8, 2024