Centre Rejects Karnataka's R-Day Parade Tableau: Insult To Seven Crore Kannadigas, Says Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has slammed the Centre for rejecting Karnataka's tableau for Republic Day 2024 parade.

The panel of experts directed by the Ministry of Defence has rejected the tableau. The State Information and Public Relations Department for the Karnataka tableau had sent four ideas after obtaining approval from the selection committee.

"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. They later permitted keeping Karnataka elections in mind. This time, the central government has again continued its trend of insulting Kannadigas," the Karnataka CM said on X, formerly Twitter.

As per the Chief Minister, the Karnataka government had conceptualised the tableau of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar to depict his immense contributions to democracy and the development of the state. It had also sent proposals to depict the contributions of Kittur Rani Chennamma and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda 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," Siddaramaiah said.

He accused the Centre of meting out such treatment to Karnataka as the Congress is in power. He added, "From devolution of tax to the injustice in drought relief, to the sale of banks, ports, and airports built by Kannadigas, the Central Government is constantly attacking Kannadigas with political malice. Now, by denying the state the opportunity in the tableau presentation, it has attacked our identity again."

He then slammed the BJP MPs for not questioning the "injustice.""They have become puppets of Narendra Modi. To whom are they loyal? Kannadigas or Narendra Modi?" he added.

Siddaramaiah further said, "Kannadigas are already enraged by the continuous injustice from the Central Government towards Kannada and Karnataka. The Central Government should not test their patience. It is not too late yet, the Central Government should immediately correct its mistake and rectify the injustice done to Karnataka by allowing us to participate in the tableau presentation at the prestigious Republic Day parade."