Punjab’s Absence from Republic Day Parade Tableaux

In light of the upcoming 75th Republic Day Parade in Delhi, it has been noted that Punjab will not be represented among the states and union territories with a tableau. The decision stems from a controversy between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab and the central government over allegations that the state intended to include photos of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on the float.

The AAP accuses the center of discrimination against an opposition-ruled state, while the BJP’s Punjab unit ridiculed the proposed tableau as “crude.” The Defense Ministry, however, clarifies that there is a well-established system for selecting tableaux, and Punjab’s proposal did not align with this year’s broader themes.

The back-and-forth between political leaders continues, but it’s essential to recognize that not every state participates in the parade every year, and some are excluded for technical reasons.