With the Ministry of Defence rejecting three tableau models by Telangana for the Republic Day parade, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government has decided not to participate in the parade in 2016, or even after that.
"There is no point pressing it when they want to eliminate us. Better not try when the rejection is imminent for reasons not justified and when the same principle is not seemed to be applicable to all. The state government has decided not to send any tableau in future," TRS floor leader in the Lok Sabha AP Jitender Reddy told the Times of India.
"We were particular about taking part in the 2015 parade since we wanted to announce to the world the birth of the state. It was significant since US president Barack Obama was the chief guest and it was important for us to send the message across. But we can't go on begging year after year and don't want to give them an opportunity to do so anymore," V Subhash, director of the Telangana Information & Public Relations department told the newspaper.
The Centre’s committee approval of the themes is mandatory for the States to be able to display the tableaus. The committee consists of experts from arts, history and culture.
Last year too, Telangana's theme of the 'Bonalu' festival was initially rejected without an official cause or reason. "This is the first time our Telangana state is presenting the cultural tableau reflecting the cultural heritage of Telangana. I, therefore, request you to kindly permit us to present our cultural heritage along with other states," chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had written in a letter to Arun Jaitley.
However, it was an entire delegation of Telangana MPs and MLAs meeting defence minister Manohar Parrikkar, that led to the selection committee agreeing to include the tableau last year.
The TOI report adds that the state had sent three designs: Sammakka Sarakka Jatara, a tribal festival celebrated in Warangal, Perani Shivathandavam, a Nataraja dance form, and Bathukamma, a floral folk festival.
On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh's design they sent on capital Amaravati has reportedly been shortlisted and they were preparing a 3-D model of the same to display during the parade. However, an official statement is still awaited.