For the first time in 13 years, this is the first time Karnataka’s proposals have been rejected by the Union government which has kicked up a row with the Opposition Congress creating a political storm, reports The Deccan Herald. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Nodal Officer for Tableau C R Naveen issued a clarification on Sunday, January 8, stating that the state “did not get a chance” to display its tableau as it had participated in previous years during the Republic Day parade.

On Saturday, January 7, the leader of the opposition in legislative assembly and former chief minister, Siddaramaiah took to Twitter sharply criticising the chief minister, Basavaraj Bommai for the rejection of the state’s tableau by the Centre. In multiple tweets, Siddaramaiah said, “It is unfortunate to know that Karnataka will not be participating in the Republic Day parade this year. Rejection of Karnataka’s tableaux reflects how serious Karnataka BJP is about upholding the pride of our state.”

A senior official hastened to clarify the situation. One told the newspaper that Karnataka was perhaps the only state in the country to get a chance to display its tableau for 13 years in a row, which provided an opportunity to depict the state’s culture for over a decade.

In a statement, released by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Naveen stated that the union government had issued guidelines providing opportunity to the states that did not take part or took part least number of times during the last eight years. “If the lists of states that took part in the previous year and the states selected this year are compared, it is evident that all the three prize-winning states in 2022 are not selected and even those states that took part last year are also not selected. Hence, Karnataka has not got the chance to take part in the Republic Day parade,” the note stated.

“In these years, it has won prizes for its theme. The state had won first prize for Shravanabelagola Gommateshwara statue tableau in 2005, four times it bagged second prize and three times it bagged third prize,” the official explained.

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First Information Reports (FIR) filed in wake of the tractor rally held during Republic Day 2021, still continue to threaten farmers with legal persecution. As January 26, 2022 approaches, the legal team of farmers group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) says that the Centre is yet to dismiss the chargesheet containing 23 FIRs against farmers.

On Wednesday, it will be a year since the farmers organised an elaborate tractor parade across the national capital Delhi in 2021. The march that had started off with a shower of flowers on protesting farmers by citizens, took a turn for the worse when some protesters were made to change their route. Due to this and the police action opened along similar routes, the day ended with external elements storming the Red Fort and the death of a farmer driving a tractor at ITO.

Many farmers had gone missing after the incident while others were arrested by police. The incident also sparked the birth of the SKM’s legal cell, which over the next few months found all missing farmers in jails or other places. The team succeeded in ensuring bail for the peasants but the court battle to do away with the charges of rioting and unrest continues.

“On December 9, 2021 when we agreed to leave Delhi borders, the government told us it’d dismiss the cases against farmers. We still have the written agreement but the authorities haven’t started the process anywhere in India still,” SKM’s Legal Convenor Prem Singhu Bhangu told Sabrang India on January 25.

The agreement wasn’t solely about 23 FIRs. Over the past year, farmers across India, especially Haryana, have been constantly condemning the BJP’s ruling regime for ignoring farmers’ demands. Mahapanchayats, regional protests were held every other week, at times, even during harvest season.

According to the legal cell, the government has to revoke FIRs against 50,000 agitating farmers. Additionally, it has to act on other demands regarding the legalisation of MSP, compensation to martyred farmers’ families and dismissal of laws penalising farmers.

“We are still waiting for the government to show results,” said Bhangu.

Rather than dismissing charges, farmers recently received summons from the Delhi High Court or arrest warrants for the violence on October 3, 2021 at Lakhimpur Kheri.

“The Centre has the power to dismiss all these cases if only the Union Home Ministry sends a letter to concerned state regions. If by January 31, the situation stays the same, we will include this demand in Mission UP as well,” said legal cell member Vasu Kukreja.

Foreseeing continued government failure in future, the SKM is now gearing up for the ‘Vishwasghat Diwas’ on January 31 when farmers will go to the tehsil-level to submit memorandums to authorities reiterating their demands.

Related:

Delhi police were complicit with Red Fort rioters: SKM’s letter to Delhi CP
Kisan Ganatantra Parade: How the mainstream media deliberately ignored ground realities
SKM says govt’s draft agreeable, but “this is not the end”
Willing to end struggle but no faith in GoI: SKM

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The Kisan Parade will be peaceful and will not disrupt the official Republic Day Parade, said the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) while detailing the proceedings of the event on January 17, 2021.

The farmers’ parade will take place on the Outer Ring Road. Parade vehicles will consist of tableaus and floats that will reflect the agricultural reality of different states and showcase historical regional and other movements. The SKM emphasised that no national heritage sites, or to any other site will be threatened.

“No anti-social elements will be allowed to infiltrate this,” said SKM leaders, urging Haryana and Delhi Police to cooperate.

All vehicles will fly India’s national flag and the flag of the farmer organisation that members are affiliated with. No political party flags will be allowed.

Families of martyr farmers of the agitation, awarded defence services personnel, awarded sportspersons, women farmers are also expected to participate in the event that hopes to include many representatives of different states.

Farmers who cannot come to Delhi will organise their own parades at state capitals and district headquarters with the same norms around discipline and peace, said SKM leaders. Members appealed to all citizens to come forward and express their support and solidarity, and watch the parade.

Regarding talks with the central government on January 19, farmer leaders stated that they will continue talks in good faith despite the unconducive atmosphere created by the Agriculture Minister’s statement on January 17, asking farmers to give up their “stubborn” stand on the new laws.

“With immense pain, we are informing you that every day many farmers are separating from us. So far 131 farmers have been martyred in this movement. SKM pays homage to these individuals and stands with their families,” said farmer leaders.

They announced an “akhand jyoti” for martyred farmers in coming days. January 18 will be celebrated as Women Farmers Day to honour women’s incomparable role in agriculture and exercising women’s agency in protests.

“In every sphere, women will be managing the stage and all the speakers on this day will be women. Other cultural programs will also be organised, showcasing the contribution of women,” they said.

Later, for January 20 Prakash Parab of Guru Gobind Singh, farmers requested people across the world to take a pledge to make this movement successful.

To participate in future protests at Delhi borders, a large contingent of farmers has left for the capital city from Odisha as part of Navanirman Krushak Sanghatan, reaching Jharkhand on Sunday. Similarly, hundreds of Adivasi farmers from Maharashtra, mostly women, reached Delhi and moved to Shahjahanpur.

On the same day, several farmer leaders of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha(KRRS) in Belagavi, Karnataka got arrested during a protest organised on the occasion of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit.

Meanwhile, the SKM strongly condemned the use of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against many farmers’ movement supporters and even unconnected service providers like transporters and others. Leaders said that many people in Punjab had cases registered against them in addition to summons for questioning. They claimed that the central government initiated these cases despite giving assurances in the last meeting.

Regarding on-going programmes, the SKM appealed to people across the nation to boycott corporate house products, especially those from Ambani and Adani industries.

“We appeal to people to expose the reality of BJP and its allies of NDA by opposing them in every sphere,” they said.

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A ‘farmers’ republic parade’ with tractors, trolleys and other vehicles will march towards Delhi on January 26, 2021 soon after the official Republic Day parade, said a seven-member Coordination Committee of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on January 2.

The march was announced as an ultimatum by farmers to the Union government by farmer leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Chadhuni, Ashok Dhawale – in place for Hannan Mollah – Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Abhimanyu Kohad – in place for Shiv Kumar Sharma Kakka – and Yogendra Yadav.

“We intend to be peaceful and told the Government of India during our talks that it has only two options – either repeal the three central farm Acts or use force to evict us. The time has come for decisive action and we have chosen January 26 both because Republic Day represents the supremacy of people and because [by then] we would have demonstrated at Delhi’s borders for two full months in extreme weather conditions”, they said during a press conference.

The SKM confirmed their plan of action leading up to Republic Day as well. Farmers across India will observe rallies, conferences and dharnas under the Desi Jagriti Abhiyan from January 6 to January 20 to counter the government’s propaganda.

Farmers have also announced Lohri/Sankarnati as Kisan Sankalp Diwas wherein people will burn copies of the three laws – the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

Similarly, January 18 will be celebrated as Mahila Kisan Diwas to underline the role of women farmers. January 23 will celebrate Azad Hind Kisan Diwas on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary by protesting outside Governors’ official residence in all state capitals.

Depending on the conclusion of January 4 talks, farmers will march on KMP Expressway on January 6 and subsequently the Shahjahanpur blockade will also move towards Delhi.

Meanwhile, leaders pointed out that the two minor farmers’ demands granted by the central government are yet to be secured in writing or any legal form. The major demands also remain unresolved. Previously, the government asked the farmers’ organisations to come up with ‘alternative proposals.’ However, leaders stated that there is no alternative other than repeal. Accordingly, the government refused to agree, even in principle, to the demand for legal right to purchase at MSP.

“We have no alternative and if the government does not meet our demand by January 26, we will be left with no option other than to start marching peacefully into Delhi”, said farmer leaders.

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The Christian Hymn “Abide with me” that was previously believed to have been dropped from the Republic Day playlist may still be on. India Today reports that the band has been practicing the melody during rehearsals.   

The hymn was written by Scottish poet Henry Francis Lyte in the nineteenth century and composed by William Henry Monk. Since 1950, this is the only western piece of music played at the Beating Retreat every year during Republic Day celebrations.

Over the years, more traditional Indian compositions have made it into the playlist. But Abide with Me, said to be a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi, has always been the last piece to be played by the military band during the Beating Retreat ceremony. The song is played to remember and honour fallen heroes. 

Earlier there were reports that the song had been dropped amidst rumours that more Indian compositions were being encouraged. The Print had quoted two sources who shed light on the reason behind the supposed omission.

“There is an increased focus on more and more Indian tunes,” said the first source to The Print. “Beating the Retreat has gradually been ‘Indianised’ by the infusion of certain non-military instrumental displays such as sitar as well as Indian tunes. Not everyone in the military is happy about this meddling as it is supposed to be a military ceremony with military bands,” the second source added.

This led to speculation if Christians and Christianity were seen an un-Indian. But retaining the hymn sends out the message that Indian steadfastly remains committed to diversity and respects people of all faiths. 

The Beating Retreat ceremony will be held on January 29.

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In what could be viewed as yet another example of the regime’s intolerance, “Abide with me” a Christian hymn that was a favourite of none other than Matatma Gandhi, has been dropped from Republic Day celebrations.

The hymn was written by Scottish poet Henry Francis Lyte in the nineteenth century and composed by William Henry Monk. Since 1950, this is the only western piece of music played at the Beating Retreat every year during Republic Day celebrations. A video of the hymn being played in 2015 may be viewed here:

When asked about the reason for the sudden decision a Defence Ministry official told Deccan Herald, “Its a routine change. We are including new tunes.” But The Print quoted two sources within the government to say that the move came after a decision to focus more on “Indian” tunes.

“There is an increased focus on more and more Indian tunes,” said the first source to The Print. “Beating the Retreat has gradually been ‘Indianised’ by the infusion of certain non-military instrumental displays such as sitar as well as Indian tunes. Not everyone in the military is happy about this meddling as it is supposed to be a military ceremony with military bands,” the second source added.

But this begs the question, why is a Christian hymn seen as an element of “western influence” and not seen as being an integral part of Indian culture given how Christianity has a 2000-year-old history in India? Apostle Thomas, one of the 12 original apostles of Jesus Christ came to the shores of Kerala as far back as 52 A.D! Since then, Christianity has found a home in India and though Christians remain a miniscule minority as less than 2 percent of the population, the community has contributed significantly to the development of science, technology, education, journalism, law and medicine. Many Christians were as the forefront of the Indian freedom struggle and countless Christians even serve in the nation’s defence forces. For Christian culture to be still seen as an “outside influence” therefore reeks of anti-minority prejudice.

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New Delhi: The Sabarimala row is in limelight again as a decision by the defence ministry is likely to trigger another political tussle between the Centre and Kerala.
 
Sources told News18 that, the defence ministry has “unselected” the state’s float for the parade.
 
The float’s theme was Renaissance movements such as the Vaikom Satyagraha against untouchability and the Temple Entry Proclamation, reported Mathrubhumi on Monday. It was initially in the list of 19 states that had made the cut. Defence secretary Sanjay Mitra had sent an official letter to all the states selected for presenting their floats.
 
However, Kerala did not receive the letter and now, sources said the state has been eliminated from the event.
 
While sources in the Chief Minister’s Office told News18 that they had not received any official word from the Centre on the de-selection, officials in the defence ministry said the state has been informed that their float did not make it to the final list. “On Wednesday, there is a meeting of representatives from states whose floats have been selected. Kerala has not been invited for this meeting and when enquired unofficially, it has been told that the float has not been selected,” the CMO said.
 
Sources told The New Indian Express the selection is still undecided as the file is still with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s office. “It’s still with the Defence Minister and I’m not sure of the tableaus of Kerala and Election Commission of India,” a Defence Ministry official said.
 
Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement against untouchability in the Hindu society that was centred on a temple in Vaikom in 1924-25. The Satyagraha aimed at securing freedom to all sections of society through the public roads leading to the Sri Mahadeva Temple.
 
It eventually paved the way for the Temple Entry Proclamation, which abolished the ban on the so-called ‘low caste people’ or avarnas from entering Hindu temples.
 
There are allegations that this is Centre’s way of punishing Pinarayi Vijayan government in the state for accepting the Supreme Court order on women’s entry in Sabarimala.
 
The state’s floats have been adjudged as the best five times but faced rejected in 2015 and 2016 as well. In 2016, the theme was the now controversial Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa. The state had proposed a tableau on the temple as it was being considered as being developed as a national pilgrim centre.
 
The temple opened on November 16 for the third time since the Supreme Court in September allowed women of all ages to enter the shrine. But so far, no woman between the ages of 10 and 50 has been able to enter the temple due to massive protests.
 

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