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DMK and TN media peddle fake news about alleged ‘rejection’ of TN’s tableau for R-Day parade, here’s the truth

In an attempt to incite regional chauvinism and linguistic passion, the DMK and along with alleged ‘journalists’ from media houses friendly to the party have peddled fake news that the Modi Government at the Centre has ‘rejected’ Tamil Nadu’s tableau for the Republic Day Parade for not having ‘prominent freedom fighters’.

It all started when an alleged ‘journalist from Puthiya Thalaimurai (a mainstream Tamil news channel), tweeted that the Centre had rejected Tamil Nadu’s tableau proposal allegedly for not having ‘prominent freedom fighters’. Tamil Nadu had reportedly proposed having Veera Mangai Velu Nachiyar, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Subramania Bharathiyar in the tableau.

This was amplified by several leaders of the ruling DMK including Chief Minister MK Stalin and his half-sister Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi.

Their alliance partners Congress and the VCK too joined the chorus.

It is been reported that the tableaus of West Bengal and Kerala have also not been able to find their place in this year’s Republic Day parade.

That being the case, it has been peddled that the Modi Government has rejected the tableaus of states ruled by non-BJP parties and has ‘disrespected’ icons like Velu Nachiyar, Bharathiyar, VOC, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

However, the fact is that each year only limited number of tableaus from states are selected. An expert committee appointed by the Ministry of Defence, comprising of people from the field of arts, culture, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography, etc., finalize the list of tableaus. Around 6-7 rounds of shortlisting and discussions are held. The floaters are selected on the basis of concept, design and theme for the particular year. For this year, a total of 56 proposals were received of which 21 were selected.

It is noteworthy to mention that tableaus of Maharasthra (ruled by Shiv Sena – Congress – NCP), along with Congress-ruled states of Punjab and Rajasthan, thus busting the rhetoric of the Modi government rejecting tableaus of Opposition-ruled states.

The tableaux proposals of Kerala selected were selected in 2018 and 2021. Tableaus of West Bengal were selected in 2016, 2017, 2019 & 2021. Tamil Nadu’s tableaus were selected in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021, far more than many other states. The tableau of Tamil Nadu for the year 2020 deserves a mention as it had Lord Ayyanaar as the centre piece. 

It is also worth mentioning that Bharathiyar, Velu Nachiyar and VO Chidambaram Pillai are freedom fighters known across India and there is no chance of any expert committee not knowing them.

The alleged ‘journalist’ of Puthiya Thalaimurai even went on to claim that Central Government officials had allegedly confused Rani Velu Nachiyar mounted on a horse with Rani Laxmi Bai, the famous queen of Jhansi.

However, these claims have been categorically denied by the Defence Ministry.

Many on social media condemned the DMK and its sympathizers masquerading as journalists in media houses for peddling fake news to incite regional chauvinism.

BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai too clarified about the non-inclusion of Tamil Nadu tableau for this year in a video.

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