New Delhi: The row over the refusal of certain states' tableaus for the Republic Day celebrations escalated on Monday, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin joining his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's immediate intervention.


While some leaders from non-BJP-ruled states such as Kerala claimed it was an "insult" by the Centre, sources in the Union government dismissed the charge and criticised chief ministers for setting a "wrong precedent" by portraying the outcome of an objective process carried out by an expert committee as a ''flashpoint'' between the Centre and the states, PTI reported.


The tableau suggestions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal were rejected by the subject expert committee following appropriate procedure and deliberation, officials told PTI. 


States and central ministries had submitted a total of 56 proposals. Out of these, 21 were shortlisted, PTI reported


Disappointed Over Rejection Of TN Tableau: CM Stalin 


In a letter to PM Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said excluding the state tableau would deeply hurt the sentiments and patriotic feelings of the people. A copy of the letter was released to the media.


"That the expert committee chooses to ignore and reject all the seven designs shown to it as per the modifications suggested by its members is unacceptable," the Chief Minister said.


Stating that this was a "matter of grave concern to Tamil Nadu and its people," Stalin sought the PM's "urgent intervention to arrange to include the tableau of Tamil Nadu" that will showcase the freedom fighters of Tamil Nadu in the Republic Day parade.


Stalin said the state submitted sketches choosing the theme "Tamil Nadu in the Freedom Struggle" depicting the renowned freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu.


"The design had V O Chidambaranar (VOC), the famous freedom fighter who founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906 during Indian Independence movement to compete against the British. VOC was charged with sedition by the British Government and sentenced to imprisonment," Stalin said.


Also, the design had Subramania Bharathi, popularly known as Maha Kavi Bharathiar who kindled patriotism in the minds of the people with his fiery patriotic songs and writings during the Indian Independence movement. 


The rear of the tableau was designed to showcase a statue of Rani Velu Nachiyar riding a horse with a sword in hand and with women soldiers. She was the first Indian queen to wage a war with the East India Company in India. 


Marudhupandiyar brothers (known as Maruthu brothers) offered protection to Queen Velu Nachiyar and helped her to win the war against the East India Company and win back Sivagangai. "They also became Kings of Sivagangai and later were executed by the East India Company. The images of Maruthupandiyars are proposed to be depicted in the tableaux," the Chief Minister said in his letter.


Urging the Centre to reconsider its decision, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss pointed out that this year marked the 150th birth anniversary of V O Chidambaram.


"Bharathi is a world-renowned poet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had recently praised Velu Nachaiyar for her heroism. The Maruthu brothers were the ones who continued Velu Nachaiyar's struggle (against the British). What else do you need?" Ramadoss asked.


DMK Parliamentarian Kanimozhi claimed that the Centre's "ignorance amounted to disrespecting the whole of Tamil Nadu". "India belongs to all and is not made up of northern States," she tweeted.


BJP Tamil Nadu unit president K Annamalai assured to take up the issue with the authorities concerned.


Exclusion Amounts To Belittling Freedom Fighters: Mamata Banerjee


On Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to PM Modi over the exclusion of the state's tableau that focused on Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary year. Banerjee said such a move would cause "pain" to the people of her state.


Banerjee said the tableau also included luminaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda, and Sri Aurobindo.


The TMC accused the Centre of "repeatedly" and "systematically" insulting "our history, culture and pride".


Senior BJP leader Tathagata Roy also urged PM Modi on Monday to allow West Bengal's tableau but made it clear that his request should not be interpreted as extending support to Trinamool Congress' petty politics.


Kerala Govt Protests Omission Of Tableau Representing Sree Narayana Guru


The Kerala government protested the omission of a tableau representing social reformer Sree Narayana Guru on Friday.


The state education minister, V Sivankutty, had questioned the Kerala BJP whether they agreed with "this demeaning attitude toward Kerala's Guru."


Tableau Suggestions From States Are Examined By Expert Committee


According to sources, the tableau suggestions submitted from various states and central ministries are examined in a series of meetings of the expert committee, which includes famous persons from the fields of art, culture, sculpture, music, architecture among others.


Before offering suggestions, the committee reviews the submissions based on the topic, concept, design, and visual impact.


They said that due to time restrictions, only a few of the offers could be considered.


However, it should be recalled that Kerala's tableau plans were accepted through the same procedure and mechanism under the same Modi administration in 2018 and 2021, as were Tamil Nadu's in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.


The tableau proposals of West Bengal were accepted in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021, they said.


(With PTI Inputs)