'Insulted 7 Crore Kannadigas': CM Siddaramaiah Slams Centre For Snub To State's R-Day Tableau

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah accused the Modi government of "insulting" the seven crore Kannadigas by denying them a chance to showcase their rich heritage through a Republic Day parade tableau.

File Photo of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Source : PTI

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has criticised the Union government for excluding the state from participating in the Republic Day parade tableau presentation, alleging political bias against the Congress-led state government. Expressing his discontent on the social media platform X, the Chief Minister accused the Centre of "insulting" the seven crore Kannadigas by denying them a chance to showcase their rich heritage and achievements on the national stage.

"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 26," he remarked.

Siddaramaiah revealed that the proposals for tableaux included themes such as the life of Mysuru ruler Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, the valiant Kittur Rani Chennamma who fought against the British, and Bengaluru founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda. Despite multiple tableau proposals from Karnataka, the Union government reportedly rejected them all, causing frustration among state officials.

"We had conceptualised the tableau of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar to depict his immense contributions to democracy and development of our state. We had also sent proposals to depict the contributions of Kittur Rani Chennamma and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda too along with the proposals to showcase Karnataka’s rich heritage and Brand Bengaluru," Siddaramaiah explained.

The Karnataka Chief Minister recalled that a similar situation occurred last year, with the state's tableau initially rejected but later permitted due to the impending Karnataka elections. Accusing the Union government of continuing its trend of insulting Kannadigas, Siddaramaiah called for an immediate correction of the decision.

"The fact that the Congress government is in power in the state seems to be a factor of concern for the BJP-led central government. From devolution of tax to the injustice in drought relief, to the sale of banks, ports, and airports built by Kannadigas, the Centre is constantly attacking the people of the state with political malice. Now, by denying the state the opportunity in the tableau presentation, it has attacked our identity again," Siddaramaiah alleged.

Expressing disappointment with the MPs of the Karnataka BJP, Siddaramaiah questioned their loyalty, asking whether they stood on the matter, "It is unfortunate that the MPs of @BJP4Karnataka are not questioning this injustice. They have become puppets of Narendra Modi. To whom are they loyal? Kannadigas or Narendra Modi?"

He urged the Union government to rectify the perceived injustice and allow Karnataka to participate in the Republic Day parade tableau presentation.

Stating that Kannadigas are already "enraged by the continuous injustice" from the Centre towards Kannada and Karnataka, Siddaramaiah remarked that the Union 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," the chief minister demanded.

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