The rejection by the Centre of a West Bengal tableau on the theme of Netaji and the Indian National Army (INA) founded by him for inclusion in the Republic Day parade has sparked a row, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, saying the rejection had "deeply pained" the Bengali people.
Portraits of other state-based nationalists were also included in the intended tableau. Banerjee noted that the "abrupt" withdrawal of the West Bengal Government's proposed tableau from the R-Day parade without explanation left her "profoundly startled and wounded."
“The tableau was commemorating the contributions of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his INA on his 125th birth anniversary and was carrying the portraits of some of the most illustrious sons and daughters of the country,” Banerjee wrote in the letter addressed to PM.
Mamata said the tableau would be the most suitable way to show respect and gratitude to those who battled for the country's liberation, and she urged the Prime Minister to reconsider his decision. The Congress also criticized the government for rejecting Bengal's tableau proposal.
In a letter addressed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress MP from Berhampore Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “This is an insult to the people of West Bengal, our cultural heritage and our great hero Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Netaji is not only the pride of West Bengal, but the entire nation.”
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