More than two dozen tableaux are set to roll down Kartavya Path as part of the 75th Republic Day parade in Delhi on Friday morning, with 16 representing various states and union territories. However, Punjab will be notably absent following a dispute between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the central government over allegations that the state wanted images of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and party leader Arvind Kejriwal on the float.
The tableau, ridiculed by the BJP’s Punjab unit as “crude,” portrayed the contributions of freedom fighters such as Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, and Lala Lajpat Rai. The AAP retaliated, accusing the central government of discriminating against an opposition-ruled state. Bhagwant Mann, denying claims that he sought the inclusion of his photo, challenged the BJP to provide evidence.
The controversy surfaced last month when Sunil Jakhar, the BJP’s Punjab leader, labeled the tableau as “crude” and cited it as one of the reasons for rejection. He claimed that AAP insisted on having photos of Kejriwal and Mann on the float.
Mann argued that ignoring Punjab’s float was a move toward eliminating the state from the national anthem, stating, “If they have their way, they will take out ‘Punjab’ from the national anthem.” He added that Delhi, also governed by the AAP with Kejriwal as Chief Minister, would not have a tableau either.
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Jakhar called it “unfortunate” that Mann politicized the issue and noted that not every state presented a tableau every year, and some were omitted for technical reasons.
The exchange between Jakhar and Mann continued, with Mann rejecting an offer to showcase Punjab’s tableau at Bharat Parv, an event at Delhi’s Red Fort. Mann’s office accused the center of attempting to belittle the contribution and sacrifice of martyrs like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Udham Singh, Mai Bhago, and Ghadri Baabe.
Defense Ministry sources clarified that there is a well-established system for selecting tableaux, with a committee evaluating proposals based on theme, concept, design, and visual impact. Punjab’s proposal was considered in the first three rounds of meetings but was not aligned with the broader themes of this year’s Republic Day parade, leading to its rejection in the fourth round.
