Chandigarh: Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday called out the Centre for rejecting the state's tableau for the Republic Day parade.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said Punjab's tableau always finds a place in events like the Republic Day parade and the state presents its rich history and culture through it. He added that this time Punjab through its tableau, was to present the history related to sacrifices made by Punjabis in the country's freedom struggle.
"But the Centre deliberately stopped (the state) from presenting this (at the R-Day parade). The centre is discriminating with Punjab and with AAP governments in Punjab and Delhi," he told the media.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said he was shocked to learn the government of India has ejected Punjab's tableau for the 74th R-Day Parade. "That means we aren't allowed to showcase our culture & contribution to the freedom struggle! Urging GOI to review its decision, I also appeal to Pb CM @BhagwantMann to wake up & take up this forcefully with GOI," he tweeted.
Senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema also called the move "totally unjustified" and asked it to be reviewed. He tweeted: "Punjab is the sword arm of the country. It has a rich heritage, culture, and great history. It has immense contributions towards the food needs of the country. But surprisingly its tableau is not being included in the Republic Day parade. This is totally unjustified and needs to be reviewed."