Delhi, In preparation for the 75th Republic Day parade scheduled for January 26, 2024, mock drills and rehearsals have commenced in Delhi. Security forces conducted exercises near India Gate and Kartavya Path, braving dense fog and winter chill.
The Delhi Police, along with security agencies, organized mock drills at crucial installations and market areas to enhance anti-terrorism measures. The rehearsals, undertaken amidst the ongoing geopolitical challenges, mark the significance of the Republic Day celebration.
The 75th Republic Day parade is anticipated to host French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest. However, the preparations have not been without controversy, as Delhi’s tableau, rejected for the third consecutive year, sparked accusations of discrimination. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the rejection was an act of revenge against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The tableau of Delhi, the nation’s capital, aimed to showcase schools in the city and the innovative Mohalla Clinic model. Similar concerns were raised in Punjab, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sunil Jakhar attributed the rejection to images of political figures within the tableau.
Republic Day, an annual commemoration of India’s transition to a sovereign republic, will unfold amid heightened security measures, underscoring the importance of unity and national pride.