Republic Day to see fewer spectators, muted celebrations

Update: 2021-01-24 09:35 GMT

Amid a raging pandemic, and with thousands of farmers sitting at its borders, the national capital, which witnessed CAA protests and bloodshed around this time last year, will be hosting a muted Republic Day this year too.

Rajpath this time will see fewer spectators – from 1.25 lakh last year to 25,000 – and for the first time in India’s history there would be no chief guest.

While British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited for the event, he expressed his displeasure to attend it due to recent COVID-19 restrictions imposed in the United Kingdom.

The Centre has also announced that there wouldn’t be any motorcycle stunts or parade of children who have received bravery awards this year, while the size of marching contingents have been slashed from 144 to 96.

However, for the first time, a tableau from the newly-carved out Union territory of Ladakh, featuring the Thikse Monastery, will be displayed at the parade. The parade instead of culminating at Red Fort will end at National Stadium.

Farmers’ rallies

Thousands of farmers who have been camping at the borders of Delhi since November, demanding a repeal of the farm laws, have planned a massive tractor rally on prominent highways on January 26, in support of their demands.

However, the farmers’ rally is unlikely to affect the Republic Day parade at Rajpath, as farmers’ representatives have assured the government to begin their march only after the completion of the official parade and stick to roads near their protest sites.

They have also promised to keep the rally peaceful.

According to reports, while around 30,000 farmers have put up at Singhu border, hundreds are arriving by the day via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway for the tractor rally.

To maintain law and order situation, Delhi Police have deployed over 40,000 police, ITBP and CRPF personnel at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders. Security has been heightened at airports, bus, metro and railway stations to avoid any untoward incidents.

The farmers rally will reportedly have tableaux from each state and 60 widows of farmers from Maharashtra’s Vidarbha will reach Delhi to participate in the protest on Republic Day. Unions in Karnataka have also planned a similar rally on January 26, which is expected to be attended by over 25,000 farmers carrying around 10,000 tractors.

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