The Karnataka government on Sunday, January 8, said that the state's tableau did not get the chance to take part in the Republic Day parade this year, following the Union government's guidelines, providing opportunities to the states that took part least number of times during the last eight years. This comes following the controversy over Karnataka's tableau being excluded from the Republic Day parade in New Delhi this year, after having showcased the state's culture for 13 consecutive years.
Nodal Officer for Republic Day tableau, CR Naveen said, "Regarding the participation of states' tableau in Republic Day parade this year, Government of India has issued guidelines, providing opportunity to the states that did not take part/took part least number of times during the last 8 years. Hence, the state of Karnataka has not got the chance to take part in the Republic Day parade.”
"Moreover, if the lists of states that took part the previous year and the states selected this year are compared, it is evident that all the three prize-winning states in 2022 are not selected this year. And also except for three states, the rest of the states that took part last year are not selected," he said.
Karnataka had proposed to showcase its millet diversity through a tableau this year during the Republic Day parade. The state's tableau 'the cradle of traditional handicrafts' was adjudged second best last year. Stating that it is unfortunate to know that Karnataka will not be participating in the Republic Day parade this year, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “the rejection of state's tableaux reflects how serious the BJP government here is about upholding the pride of our state.”
In a series of tweets, the Congress leader said, "Incapable and weak Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and his cabinet ministers are worried about looting government resources through 40 per cent commission. Had they put in a little more thought in designing the theme, Karnataka could have presented its tableaux on the Republic Day."
He added that Karnataka leaders are known for only making noise in the state, but are cowards in front of their high command. He further said, "State BJP govt has pledged our pride to accommodate the interests of their high command. Did any of the BJP MPs raise objections for rejecting our tableau?"
ಸತತ ಹದಿಮೂರು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಗಣರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಪರೇಡ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಸ್ಥಬ್ದ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು ನಮ್ಮ ಇತಿಹಾಸ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ಹಿರಿಮೆಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸಿ ಇಡೀ ದೇಶದ ಶ್ಲಾಘನೆಗೆ ಪಾತ್ರವಾಗಿದೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 7, 2023
ಇದೇ ಮೊದಲ ಬಾರಿ @BJP4India ಈ ಗೌರವಕ್ಕೆ ಧಕ್ಕೆ ತಂದಿದೆ. 2/4