Float submitted by Kerala | photo: mathrubhumi news/screen grab
New Delhi: Union Ministry of Defence has rejected Kerala’s Republic Day float for the third time in recent years. The state will not be able to participate in the grand parade this year as well. Kerala submitted a proposal for the tableau of Sree Narayana Guru and Jatayu rock. The defence ministry asked to change it to Adi Shankara. It also asked to withdraw the submission if the state is not willing to change.
The theme for this year’s parade is '75 years of Independence'.
Kerala was ousted from the parade in the years 2019 and 2020 as well.
Notably, in the first round of screening, Kerala’s float received high appreciation from the committee concerned. However, in a later stage, it was rejected.
Kerala was not ready to accept the demands of the ministry and thus, the submission was rejected. The tableaux are selected through a five-phased test..
In 2020, when Kerala’s float was rejected, the then law minister AK Balan said that the Centre's decision was politically motivated. The state had proposed a tableau featuring Kerala Kalamandalam, boat race, elephant parade, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam, Kathakali and Chendamelam. Responding to the allegations, jury member and renowned dancer Jayaprada Menon stated that the Republic Day parade is the prie of India, and they were bound to select the best. Kerala was ousted from the parade in the third phase.
Kerala bagged the gold medal in the parade in 2013. Notably, Kerala is one of the states which criticises the Centre for its various policies.
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