Republic Day 2024: Why Delhi's Tableau Will Not Be Seen In The Parade?

Every year in the Republic Day Parade in the country, tableaux of states are taken out on the duty route of Delhi. However, this time, the Central Government has also rejected Delhi's tableau. Punjab and West Bengal would also not be seen in the Republic Day Parade 2024, reported AajTak.

According to Saurabh Bhardwaj, Minister of Art, Culture, and Language of the Delhi Government, for the last 3 years, the Central Government has been rejecting the proposal regarding Delhi's tableaux in the Tableau Parade to be held on 26th January. He stated that Delhi, being the capital of the country, has these tableaux taken out in Delhi, but it is a big surprise that the tableaux of Delhi have not been given a place in the 26th January parade for the last 3 years. The last time Delhi's tableau was part of the Republic Day parade was in the year 2021.

Delhi's tableau was rejected

Delhi government minister stated that in the year 2022, the proposal on a topic called Resolve-75 had been submitted. Similarly, in the year 2023, the proposal on the theme of women's power was submitted, and for this year's parade, the proposal on the theme of Developed India was submitted. However, for 3 consecutive years, the proposals for Delhi's tableau have been rejected by the Central Government, according to AajTak.

Centres response

The Centre dismissed charges of discrimination following the rejection of the Republic Day 2024 tableaux from Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal, on Sunday, stating that they did not align with the "broader theme" of this year's celebratory parade. Further, the Defence Ministry clarified that an "expert committee" of artists from various industries reviewed the proposals from states and Union territories, asserting that there was no bias by the Centre.

The tableau proposal of Punjab underwent the first three rounds of meetings of the expert committee but was ultimately rejected for not aligning with the theme. The officials of West Bengal stated that their tableaux was also rejected for the same reasons, as reported by news agency PTI, citing ministry sources. The expert committee for the examination of tableaux, set up by the Centre, consists of eminent persons in the fields of arts, culture, painting, music, architecture, choreography, sculpture, and more.

For the Republic Day Parade 2024, 30 states/UTs had shown their willingness to participate in the parade, including the State of Punjab and West Bengal, reported Hindustan Times, citing sources. However, like every year, only 15-16 states/UTs will be finally selected to present their tableaux in the Republic Day Parade 2024, added ministry sources. Further, it was also shared that the states and UTs not selected for the Republic Day parade are being invited to showcase their tableaux in Bharat Parv at Red Fort, New Delhi, from January 23-31, 2024, as part of inclusive celebrations.