Finally, a tableau from Bengal gets approval for R-Day parade in Delhi
The Statesman | 20 January 2026
Themed “Vande Mataram and the Struggle for Independence”, finally a tableau from Bengal passed for the Republic Day parade in Delhi.
Unable to proceed any further, the central government was compelled to grant permission to the Tableau from West Bengal. Putting an end to all speculation and concerns, the ministry of defence has finally authorised the display of West Bengal’s tableau at the Republic Day parade in Delhi. On 26 January, the tableau from Bengal will proudly participate alongside those from 17 other states on Delhi’s ‘Kartavya Path’.
This year’s theme for Bengal’s tableau is ‘Bengal in India’s Struggle for Independence’, which has been designed with the 150th anniversary of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s timeless creation ‘Vande Mataram’ in mind. This clearance 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’ regarding Bengal’s tableau.
According to sources, there are allegations that this committee has repeatedly attempted to block West Bengal’s proposal under various pretexts. Sources claim that before granting final approval, there were at least five meetings between the expert committee and representatives of the state government in Delhi. During these meetings, committee members raised multiple questions and expressed objections regarding the design and content of the tableau. This led to significant doubts about West Bengal’s participation on Republic Day.
However, the officials working in the office of the Resident Commissioner in Delhi did not give up.
A senior official from the Banga Bhavan stated, “The state’s argument was irrefutable; during the meeting, the state raised the question of why the themes or subjects of the tableau from BJP-ruled states like Assam, Odisha, Rajasthan, or Maharashtra have no direct connection to the country’s struggle for Independence or the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’. Yet, the expert committee did not raise any questions regarding the proposals from those states. So, why is such scrutiny being applied only to Bengal? In light of the state’s counter-argument, the central committee was practically compelled to retreat. Ultimately, after extensive discussions, the theme and design from Bengal have been given the green light.”