India’s military prowess infused with a spirit of “aatmanirbharta” (self reliance) and diverse and vibrant cultural heritage were showcased on the Kartavya Path (previously known as Raj Path), as the nation celebrated its 74th Republic Day on Thursday.
But Punjab’s tableau failed to make it among the total 17 States and Union Territories that showcased their rich culture, development, and contribution.
‘Nari Shakti’ was predominantly the theme of the celebrations. But Punjab faced rejection, even as the State Government had proposed three ideas — showcasing contribution of state’s soldiers and farmers; sacrifices of Sikh woman warrior Mai Bhago; or the Battle of Saragarhi, none of them had received a green signal from the Centre.
AAP lashed out at the Centre for discriminating against the state’s ruled by it — Punjab and Delhi — be dropping their tableaux.
Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led central government, Punjab chief minister in an interview to The Times of India said the “anti-Punjab” stance was “unwarranted and undesirable.”
Mann said that despite great ideas, Punjab tableau was rejected. He said that the annual Republic Day Parade was a symbol of country’s unity in diversity and rich cultural heritage through tableaus of different states.
He said although the selection committee even appreciated the idea, it was disheartening that the people of India along with the whole world were bereft of watching the rich cultural tribute that Punjab would have showcased.
He said Punjabis have made enormous sacrifices. Despite being merely two per cent of the country’s population, 80 per cent of the martyrs either executed or exiled during the freedom movement were Punjabis.
Mann bemoaned that the Centre had “hatched a conspiracy” by not allowing Punjab to showcase its achievements.Mann said that this type of discriminatory treatment with Punjab and Punjabis was “highly condemnable and intolerable”.
Punjab’s all political parties came together on the same platform to blame the BJP-led Central Government for rejecting the state’s tableau.
“This is a case of clear and petty discrimination on the part of the Government of India against the Aam Aadmi Party-led governments in Punjab and Delhi, both of which have not been included in the parade,” said senior AAP leader and Punjab’s Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, while addressing the media, along with the state’s Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh.
Mincing no words, he claimed that Punjab and Delhi are “not being allowed to showcase our culture” due to the Central Government’s “bias”.
“Punjab’s tableau always finds a place in events like the Republic Day parade, through which the state presents its rich history and culture and the development it has made over the years…This time, Punjab, through its tableau, was to present the history related to sacrifices made by Punjabis in the country’s freedom struggle,” said Cheema, adding that “the Centre deliberately stopped from presenting this”.
Also tweeting over the issue, Cheema said: “Punjab is the sword arm of the country. It has a rich heritage, culture and great history. It has immense contributions towards the food needs of the country…But surprisingly its tableau is not being included in the Republic Day parade. This is totally unjustified and needs to be reviewed.”
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was the chief guest at the event.
