“There cannot be anything more shameful”: CM Mann condemns centre for excluding Punjab’s tableau in Republic Day Parade

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday did not mince his words while criticisng the centre government for omitting to include Punjab’s tableau in the annual Republic Day parade scheduled for Thursday, January 26.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, the Punjab CM shared a video stating that 90% of the contribution to the struggle for freedom in India can be attributed to Punjab and Punjabis, citing Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Madan Lal Dhingra as well as thousands of unknown martyrs as an example.

26Jan ਦੀ ਪਰੇਡ ‘ਚ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਝਾਕੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਨਾ ਦੇਕੇ ਬੀਜੇਪੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਤੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਪਮਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ https://t.co/yh45aTiEon

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) January 25, 2023

“Punjab’s tableau for Republic Day not included this time. There cannot be anything more shameful than this. The BJP government has shown its mindset.,” stated CM Mann.

In another tweet, the Punjab CM stated in Punjabi, “On the occasion of the Republic Day, the Punjab government had sent proposals for a tableau on 3 important subjects to the central government

1.  ‘Defenders of the Motherland’ which  represented the importance of Punjab as an Indian army and food supplier.

2.  Showing the heroism of Mai Bhago ji under ‘Nari Shakti’.

3.  Stories of bravery and great sacrifices during the battle of Saragarhi along with the honorable events in the history of the freedom struggle.”

3. ਸਾਰਾਗੜ੍ਹੀ ਦੀ ਜੰਗ ਤਹਿਤ ਬਹਾਦਰੀ ਤੇ ਮਹਾਨ ਬਲੀਦਾਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੇ ਕਿੱਸਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ-ਨਾਲ ਆਜ਼ਾਦੀ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਦੇ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਤਿਕਾਰਯੋਗ ਘਟਨਾਵਾਂ

ਇਹ ਬੇਹੱਦ ਸ਼ਰਮਨਾਕ ਤੇ ਨਿੰਦਣਯੋਗ ਗੱਲ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਪੰਜਾਬੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਖ਼ਾਰਜ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ
2/2

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) January 25, 2023

“It is extremely shameful and reprehensible that the sacrifice of Punjabis was dismissed,” he added further.

Not shying away from his criticism of the centre, CM Mann stated, “I want to ask BJP leaders from Punjab, including Capt Amarinder Singh and others, will they raise the issue why Punjab has been ignored at the Republic Day Parade. Probably, they do not have that much guts.”

In retaliation, Punjab BJP Leader Subhash Sharma stated that the tableau was disqualified as it was similar to a previous tableau from Punjab.

“They (the AAP government) took the old tableau after some modification (before a committee) then how it could have qualified…If your tableau is disqualified, then whose fault was it? It is your fault. If Punjab’s tableau is not taking part tomorrow in Republic Day celebrations, then it is the fault of the CM,” the BJP Leader stated in a press conference Wednesday.