After West Bengal & Maharashtra, Kerala’s Republic Day Tableau also rejected

January 03: Now after West Bengal & Maharashtra, Kerala’s tableau for the Republic Day parade has also been rejected for the second consecutive year by the Centre. Kerala’s Law Minister AK Balan said that the decision to reject Kerala’s tableau is politically motivated. The Centre has already rejected permissions to the tableaux of Maharashtra and West Bengal from parading on Republic Day. The theme proposed by the state for its tableau was the state’s art and architecture, which would comprise the traditional art forms of Theyyam and Kalamandala. The tableau showed Kerala’s backwaters, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam dancers and percussionists playing the tradition instrument of Chenda (drums).

Twenty two proposals comprising 16 states and union territories and six ministries and departments have been shortlisted for the parade. The shortlist was compiled from as many as 56 tableau proposals – 32 from states and union territories and 24 from various ministries and departments – received by the central government. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

The Defence Ministry has rejected West Bengal’s tableau for the Republic Day parade on January 26 in a move that has sparked a fresh row between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Centre. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has said that by rejecting West Bengal’s tableau at this year’s Republic Day parade, the BJP has insulted the people of the state for protesting the amended Citizenship Act. The BJP, however, countered saying TMC should stop doing politics on every issue.

Reacting to ‘denial to permission to non-BJP states’, NCP MP Supriya Sule said the government was behaving in a “prejudiced” manner. She said that Maharashtra and West Bengal had played a key role in the freedom struggle and the decision to allegedly deny permissions to their tableaux was an “insult” of the people.