Setting at rest all the speculation about the fate of the tableau from West Bengal, the Central government has finally accorded it permission for the Republic-Day Parade here. The Ministry of Defence has also given its nod for its display at the parade.
On January 26, the tableau will take part in the prestigious national event alongside tableaux from 17 other states on Delhi’s ‘Kartavya Path’ (formerly Rajpath). The theme of the Bengal’s tableau is ‘Bengal in India’s Struggle for Independence’. It has been designed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s timeless masterpiece ‘Vande Mataram’.
The clearance of the tableau for the R-Day Parade has been confirmed by sources from the Resident Commissioner’s Office in Delhi. There has been a prolonged tug-of-war between the state government’s representatives and the Central government’s ‘Expert Committee’ on the tableau.
According to sources, there are allegations that the selection panel that operates under the Ministry of Defence has repeatedly tried to block West Bengal’s proposal on various pretexts. Sources claim there have been at least five meetings between the expert panel and the representatives of the state government in Delhi before the final decision.
During these meetings, committee members raised multiple questions and raised objections to the design and content of the tableau. This led to significant doubts about West Bengal’s participation in the R-Day Parade. However, the officials working in the office of the Resident Commissioner in Delhi did not give up.
A senior official from the Banga Bhavan said, “The state’s argument was irrefutable. During the meeting, the state raised the question why the committee did not raise any questions on the themes and subjects of the proposals from BJP-ruled states like Assam, Odisha, Rajasthan, or Maharashtra even though they have no direct connection with the country’s struggle for independence or the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’. Why then is such a scrutiny being applied only to Bengal?
In the light of the state’s counter-argument, the Central committee practically had no option but to give its approval. After extensive discussions, eventually the theme and design from Bengal have been given the green light.”
He further stated that this year’s tableau is being meticulously crafted in accordance with the directives of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The state government wants the entire nation to witness how Bengal played a pioneering role in the anti-British movement on the streets of Delhi.
This tableau showcases how the intellectuals, writers, poets, and revolutionaries of Bengal dedicated their lives and writings to the cause of the country’s independence.
An officer from the Resident Commissioner office in Delhi stated that the primary conflict revolved around the selection of the theme or subject matter for the tableau. The Central government aimed to emphasise the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ during this year’s Republic Day.
The expert committee questioned why Bengal did not directly choose the ‘Vande Mataram’ theme. Why were they highlighting the topic of ‘Bengal in the Freedom Struggle’? In response, representatives of the state government argued that the Indian freedom struggle and the mantra of ‘Vande Mataram’ are inextricably linked. Just as it is impossible to write the history of India’s independence movement without including Bengal, the movement remains incomplete without the resonance of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s ‘Vande Mataram’. Therefore, the state government has skillfully integrated the theme of ‘Vande Mataram’ within the context of Bengal’s role in the freedom struggle.
According to information obtained from sources, the primary design of the tableau emphasises the contributions of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and his creation, the mantra ‘Vande Mataram’. It will vividly depict how this mantra ignited the blood of revolutionaries in colonial India, illustrating how they sang this song while facing the gallows, embracing death.
Additionally, the front and various sections of the tableau feature portraits and models of eminent figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, the rebellious poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, and the national leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The revolutionary figures of the Agni Yuga, such as Binoy-Badal-Dinesh, are also included.
To sum up, the tableau presents a living history of the struggle for independence.
It is noteworthy that there have been multiple allegations against the Central government for the cancellation of Bengal’s tableau in the past. In particular, the conflict between the Centre and the state escalated over the cancellation of the tableau dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
In this context, the approval of the latest tableau and the acceptance of Bengal’s unique theme by the Centre are being viewed by the political circles as a significant moral victory for the state. As January 26 approaches, the people of Bengal and expatriates are eagerly awaiting the day on which the proud history of Bengalis will be showcased once again on the Kartavya Path in the national capital.