New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his disappointment on Friday and slammed the Central government for the exclusion of the state's tableau from the Republic Day parade in Delhi. Mann, addressing a Republic Day event in Ludhiana, emphasised on the integral role of Punjab, a state that has made numerous sacrifices for the nation.
He highlighted that the tableaux, initially rejected by the Centre, were eventually included in the state's parade on Friday.
The chief minister recently claimed that the "anti-Punjab syndrome" of the Narendra Modi government was the reason why his state's tableau was denied. The Centre dismissed as "baseless" both Mann's claims of discrimination and his criticism of the BJP-led government for not incorporating the state's tableau in the Republic Day parade.
According to news agency PTI, in a statement following Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's allegations, the Ministry of Defence earlier said, "The tableau proposal of Punjab was considered in the first three rounds of a meeting of the expert committee. After the third round... the tableau of Punjab could not be taken forward... for not aligning to the broader themes of this year's tableau." At the Republic Day event in Ludhiana, where he unfurled the national flag, Mann pointed out at how the people of the state have fought in battles, made innumerable sacrifices for their country, and led India's freedom struggle.
"But it is sad when Punjab's tableaux were not included in the Republic Day parade. Just now, we have taken out these tableaux here before you. Is there anything in them which is odd? These show photos of our prominent freedom fighters, our rich culture, sacrifices of our valiant heroes. Then how can you celebrate and imagine a Republic Day without them," he said, reported PTI.
"Our water table has gone down. And then they take cudgels, they tell us they won't give MSP," he further said targeting the Centre. The chief minister also claimed that since Punjab and Pakistan have a 553-kilometer border, "weapons, drugs, and drones keep coming in from there, We also need to be mindful on that front." He further added, "Punjab is a very loyal state. Kindly don't create such a situation, don't mistrust our loyalty," reported PTI.