Show of fairness: On the formula for selection of Republic Day tableaux

Tableau rotational plan for States and Union Territories is an equitable one

The Defence Ministry has finalised a rotational (relating to a system in which the person who does a particular job is regularly changed) plan which will ensure that all States and Union Territories get a chance to display their tableaux (an arrangement of people who do not move or speak, especially on a stage, who represent a view of life, an event, etc)  at the Republic Day parade within a three-year cycle. This is a welcome step that will potentially (Used when something is not certain)  avoid controversy (a lot of disagreement or argument about something, usually because it affects or is important to many people) over the selection of tableaux that has become an unfortunate (unlucky or having bad effects) and frequent accompaniment (a musical part which supports or partners an instrument, voice, or group). of the parade. This year, tableaux of 16 States/Union Territories (UT) were selected for the January 26 parade following an established (accepted or respected because of having existed for a long period of time) process but the Opposition-ruled Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka and West Bengal that were not qualified cried foul. Karnataka’s Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that seven proposals (a suggestion, sometimes a written one) sent by the State were rejected by the Centre. A political motive behind selection and exclusion (the act of not allowing someone or something to take part in an activity or to enter a place) has often been suggested, under the current BJP regime and the previous UPA regime. Only around 15 or 16 tableaux from States/UTs are selected each year, and, obviously, all cannot be accommodated (to give what is needed to someone). Those States that have not been selected for the parade this year were invited to showcase their tableaux at the Bharat Parv from January 23 to 31 at the Red Fort. The new plan, that has been agreed to by 28 States, is aimed at giving everyone an equitable (treating everyone fairly and in the same way) chance at participation.

The Defence Ministry already has an elaborate (containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts) screening mechanism (a way of doing something that is planned or part of a system) for participants in the parade. A committee of distinguished (used to describe a respected and admired person, or their work) persons drawn from various fields including Padma awardees was set up this year too that screened proposals from States and organisations. The Ministry of Culture had empanelled (in a law court, to choose the people who will form the jury for a trial) 30 agencies for design and fabrication (the act of inventing false information in order to deceive someone, or the false information itself) of tableaux through an open selection process and States/UTs were advised to engage these agencies following appropriate procedure. The allegations by States of discrimination (the treatment of a person or particular group of people differently, in a way that is worse than the way people are usually treated) with respect to their proposals may or may not be unfounded, but the selection process has to be apolitical and conducted in a transparent manner while maintaining standards to avoid questions in the first place. While the marching contingents (a group of people representing an organization or country, or a part of a military force)  and military platforms at the parade showcase the nation’s military might, the tableaux and the performances hold a lens to the country’s cultural splendour (great beauty that attracts admiration and attention) and diversity. In the backdrop of controversies year after year, the new proposal of a rotational opportunity for each State/UT offers a fairer, more transparent mechanism. The assertion (a statement that you strongly believe is true) by officials that the Government, Minister or Secretary do not have any role in the selection process, is reassuring (making you feel less worried). It will go a long way in keeping the festivities free from bickering (arguments about things that are not important).

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