India celebrates 75th Republic Day amid pandemic and protests
New Delhi (India): India marked its 75th Republic Day on January 26, 2024, with a scaled-down parade and cultural events in the capital New Delhi and across the country. The Republic Day commemorates the date when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, making India a sovereign, democratic, and republic nation. The celebrations this year were overshadowed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the farmers’ protests against the new agricultural laws.
Republic Day Parade
The Republic Day parade is the highlight of the celebrations, showcasing the country’s military and cultural diversity. The parade usually covers a 8.5 km route from Rajpath to the Red Fort, but this year it was shortened to 3.3 km due to the pandemic1 The number of spectators was also reduced from 150,000 to 25,000, and all attendees had to follow social distancing and mask-wearing protocols.
The parade featured 32 tableaux or floats from various states, union territories, ministries, and departments, depicting the themes of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and ‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka’ (India – The Mother of Democracy) Some of the highlights of the tableaux were the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, and the achievements of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The parade also showcased the latest weaponry and equipment of the Indian armed forces, such as the BrahMos missile system, the Pinaka rocket system, the Arjun main battle tank, and the Rafale fighter jets. The Rafale jets, which were acquired from France last year, made their debut in the Republic Day flypast, performing a ‘Vertical Charlie’ manoeuvre over the Rajpath.
The parade was led by Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, the General Officer Commanding of the Delhi Area. The chief guest of the parade was British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. Johnson, who had earlier cancelled his visit due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in the UK, attended the parade virtually and praised the ties between the two countries.
Cultural Events
Apart from the parade, various cultural events were held across the country to mark the Republic Day. The events included flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, award ceremonies, and patriotic speeches.
One of the prominent events was the ‘At Home’ reception hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The reception was attended by Prime Minister Modi, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other dignitaries. The President also conferred the Padma awards, the highest civilian honours of the country, to 119 eminent personalities from various fields.
Another notable event was the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony, which marks the end of the Republic Day festivities. The ceremony was held at the Vijay Chowk on January 29, 2024, and featured performances by the bands of the three services of the Indian armed forces. The ceremony concluded with the lowering of the national flag and the playing of the national anthem.
Farmers’ Protests
The Republic Day celebrations were marred by the farmers’ protests that have been going on since November 2020. The farmers, who are opposing the three new farm laws passed by the government, had planned to hold a ‘tractor rally’ on the outskirts of Delhi on January 26, 2024.
However, some of the protesters deviated from the agreed route and entered the city, clashing with the police and creating chaos.
The protesters reached the Red Fort, where they hoisted a religious flag on a pole near the ramparts, where the Prime Minister unfurls the national flag on Independence Day. The incident sparked outrage and condemnation from the government, the opposition, and the public. The police registered several cases against the protesters and arrested some of the leaders of the agitation.
The farmers’ unions, however, distanced themselves from the violence and blamed some ‘anti-social elements’ for hijacking their peaceful movement. They also announced that they would continue their protest until the government repeals the farm laws.
The Republic Day 2024 was a historic occasion for India, as it celebrated 75 years of its constitution and democracy. The celebrations showcased the country’s achievements, diversity, and unity, as well as its challenges and aspirations. The celebrations also highlighted the need for dialogue and consensus in resolving the issues facing the nation, especially the farmers’ agitation. The Republic Day 2024 was a reminder of the values and principles that the constitution embodies, and the responsibility of every citizen to uphold them.
