Rehearsals for 75th Republic Day begin today in Delhi

Republic Day 2024: In 2024, the 75th Republic Day parade is slated to take place on January 26 which will be marked by a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest. The rehearsals for it commenced on Friday, December 28.

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This morning, near India Gate and Kartavya Path, security forces carried out the Republic Day parade rehearsals amid dense fog and winter chill. In view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police and security agencies organised mock drills at vital installations. These drills were also carried out in market areas to sensitise the general public to remain alert and augment anti-terrorism measures.

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Delhi Police East District on Thursday executed a mock drill at V3S Mall Nirman Vihar. The mock drill for security preparedness also included teams of Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Traffic Police, Bomb Squad, Dog Squad, Cats Ambulance, and SWAT Cammondos.

Republic Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the transition towards becoming an independent republic after the Constitution came into effect.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, on Friday, said the BJP-led central government has rejected the tableaux of Delhi and Punjab for the Republic Day parade to "exact revenge on the AAP". He said, “The tableau of Delhi, which is the capital of the country, was rejected by the Centre.”

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Delhi's tableau was rejected for the 2022 parade and then for the 2023 parade and now it has been rejected again for the 2024 parade, reported PTI. According to officials, the last time Delhi's tableau was featured in the parade was in 2021 that showcased the Shahjahanabad redevelopment project. Bharadwaj said that Delhi's tableau this year wanted to showcase schools in the city and the Mohalla Clinic model.

Over the tableau row, Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sunil Jakhar on Thursday said, “The reason for the tableau being rejected is the photographs of Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann inside the tableau,” reported ANI. He added, "Republic Day parade is not a platform for self-endorsement or advertisement."  

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)