How are Republic Day tableaux designed and selected?

Three states have kicked up a political storm over rejection of tableaux ahead of the Republic Day celebrations 2022. The storm erupted after tableau suggestions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal were rejected by the subject expert committee.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that she was “profoundly shocked” as state’s tableau for the Republic Day parade “was rejected without assigning any reasons or justifications.”

Not only Mamata, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also wrote a letter to PM and expressed his disappointment.

The Defence Ministry, which is responsible for the parade and is the coordinating body for the tableaux, says that the selection is done by an expert committee, and asserted that there is no political involvement in it. As the political row escalates, let’s learn how these tableaux are designed and selected.

How Republic Day Tableaux Are Selected?

Around September every year the Defence Ministry invites all the states, the Union Territories, Central Government departments, and a few constitutional authorities to participate in the parade through tableaux. The proposals had to be submitted by September end, and the shortlisting of the proposals began around the second week of October.

How are the tableaux selected?

In its first phase of selection, the sketch or design of the proposals is examined and suggestions for modifications, if any, are carried out. Once approved by the committee, the participants have to present three-dimensional models of their proposals. The models are then examined again by the expert panel for final selection.

The final selection of a tableau is based on a combination of factors, including visual appeal, impact on the masses, idea behind it, accompanying music or dance, among other factors.

Is this the first time that state tableaux was rejected?

No, last year also tableaux from West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala and Bihar were rejected, leading to an uproar from the states.