12:29 (IST)
Republic Day 2021 LATEST Updates
Punjab, Haryana join nation in celebrating 72nd Republic Day
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Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore unfurled the national flag at a state-level function in Mohali.
- Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh hoisted the tricolour in Patiala, while his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar unfurled the national flag in Panchkula, the officials said.
- Both Singh and Khattar conveyed their greetings to people on the occasion.
12:03 (IST)
Republic Day 2021 LATEST Updates
Rafale makes R-Day parade debut
The 72nd R-Day parade culminates with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’. The aircraft is piloted by Gp Capt Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Squadron leader Kislaykant.
#RepublicDay parade culminates with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’. The aircraft is piloted by Gp Capt Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Sqn Ldr Kislaykant. pic.twitter.com/ochv25VhkT
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
11:59 (IST)
Republic Day 2021 LATEST Updates
Delhi Police use tear gas on farmers groups at Mubarka Chowk
Police on Tuesday used tear gas on groups of farmers when they tried to break past barricades and cemented barriers with tractors at Delhi’s Mukarba Chowk, reports PTI
Groups of protesting farmers camping at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur border points of the national capital broke police barricades on Tuesday morning to force their way into the city, before the time allotted by the Delhi Police for their tractor parade.
An official said police personnel used tear gas to disperse groups of farmers coming from the Singhu border point as they tried to hold a march on the Outer Ring Road much ahead of the allotted time.
Numerous tractors bearing flags assembled at the border points of the national capital with men and women dancing on drum beats as locals gathered on both sides of the road showering flower petals them.
Security personnel have been trying to convince the farmers to stick to the plan of holding the tractor parade after the conclusion of the Republic Day parade at Rajpath.
11:56 (IST)
Republic Day 2021 LATEST Updates
Protestors break police barricade at Karnal bypass
Protestors at Karnal bypass broke the police barricading to enter Delhi as farmers tractor rally is underway in the national capital
#WATCH Protestors at Karnal bypass break police barricading to enter Delhi as farmers tractor rally is underway in the national capital#FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/pzfJs6Ioef
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
11:40 (IST)
Tableau of Uttar Pradesh displays Ram Mandir
Designed after the theme ‘Ayodhya: Cultural Heritage of Uttar Pradesh’, the tableau of Uttar Pradesh displayed Ram Mandir. The forepart of the middle tableau showed Deepotsava of Ayodhya, in which millions of earthen lamps are lit.
Designed after the theme ‘Ayodhya: Cultural Heritage of Uttar Pradesh’, the tableau of Uttar Pradesh also displays Ram Mandir.
The forepart of the middle tableau shows Deepotsava of Ayodhya, in which millions of earthen lamps are lit. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/FCnNOv7Z4n
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
11:23 (IST)
Farmers at Singhu border breach barricades, police resort to tear gas firing
Thousands of farmers knocked down police barricades and entered Delhi on foot Tuesday morning amid huge police presence ahead of a tractor rally. Tear gas shells were fired by policemen to stop the protesters in some parts of the city.
11:16 (IST)
Lathicharge at Singhu border as farmers break barricades
Chaos prevailed at Delhi’s Singhu border as police resorted to lathicharge after protesting farmers broke the police barricades.
According to officials, security personnel tried to convince the farmers that they have been given permission to hold their tractor parade in Delhi after the Republic Day parade at the Rajpath concludes.
11:03 (IST)
Tableau of Punjab showcases glory of 9th Sikh Guru
Tableau of Punjab showcased the glory of 9th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur on Tuesday. The tableau has the theme ‘400th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur’.
The end of the trailer showed Gurdwara Sri Rakab Ganj Sahib, the site of cremation of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Tableau of Punjab showcases the glory of 9th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The tableau has the theme ‘400th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur’.
The end of the trailer shows Gurdwara Sri Rakab Ganj Sahib, the site of cremation of Guru Tegh Bahadur.#RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/LAY7WkeKHF
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
10:53 (IST)
In a first, Ladakh tableau participates in parade
The display of cultural tableaux begun at the 72nd Republic Day parade, with Ladakh leading. This is the first-ever tableau of the Union Territory.
Ladakh’s tableau depicted the iconic Thiksey Monastery located on top of a hill in Thikse in Leh district, and is one of the most-visited tourist sites in the region. It also featured the Indian Astronomical Observatory, located in Hanle near Leh.
The display of cultural tableaux begins at #RepublicDay parade, with Ladakh leading. It’s the first-ever tableau of the UT.
It shows Ladakh’s culture & communal harmony besides art & architecture, languages & dialects, customs & costumes, fairs & festivals, literature, music. pic.twitter.com/jdBN8KFlE4
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
10:26 (IST)
Tractor rally in Ghazipur border amid high security
Farmers carry out tractor parade at Ghazipur border amid high security deployment. They are following the Ghazipur border-Apsra border-Hapur Road-IMS College-Lal Kuan-Ghazipur border route, reported ANI.
10:20 (IST)
President Kovind, PM Modi arrive at Rajpath
The Tricolour was unfurled at Rajpath in the presence of President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries, on 72nd Republic Day
Delhi: The Tricolour unfurled at Rajpath in the presence of President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries, on 72nd #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/h4FjOzRI2B
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
09:56 (IST)
PM pays tribute to fallen soldiers at national war memorial
Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the ceremonial book at the National War Memorial at the India Gate. Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Navy Staff were also present.
Prime Minister Modi is wearing a special ‘Paghdi’ from Jamnagar, today. The first such ‘Paghdi’ was gifted to the PM by the royal family of Jamnagar, Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/7wRITqsC52
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
09:47 (IST)
Boris Johnson greets India, says ‘working together to eliminate COVID-19’
United Kingdom and India are working side by side to free humanity from the coronavirus pandemic, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a special reference to the vaccine collaboration in his Republic Day message on Tuesday.
Johnson was due to be in New Delhi as the chief guest at the annual parade to mark the India’s 72nd Republic Day but had to call off the visit after the emergence of a new variant of coronavirus in the UK at the end of last year.
“I was hugely looking forward to joining you for this important occasion at the kind invitation of my friend Prime Minister Modi, alas our common struggle against COVID has kept me in London,” said Johnson.
09:41 (IST)
Transgender community cooks food for farmers in Bengaluru
Members of the Transgender community in Bengaluru on Tuesday cooked breakfast for farmers who will arrive this morning for the protest in the city, reported Indian Express.
In solidarity with the farmers protesting against the farm laws in New Delhi, farmers in Karnataka will hold a massive tractor rally in Bengaluru on Republic Day.
Members of the Transgender community in #Bengaluru cooking breakfast for farmers who will arrive today for the protest in the city. #FarmersTractorParade @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/vhsT4lDXXs
— Darshan Devaiah B P (@DarshanDevaiahB) January 26, 2021
09:06 (IST)
Tractor rally begins at Dhansa border
Farmers’ Republic Day tractor rally in protest against the three farm laws has begun at Delhi’s Dhansa border on Tuesday, according to ANI.
08:41 (IST)
ITBP jawans celebrate 72nd Republic Day at border outpost in Ladakh
Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans celebrate the 72nd Republic Day at a high-altitude Border Outpost in Ladakh.
08:23 (IST)
Delhi CM greets nation on occasion of Republic Day
कोरोना वॉरियर, सफ़ाई कर्मचारी, जवान और किसान। इस गणतंत्र दिवस देश के इन नायकों को सलाम।
सभी देशवासियों को गणतंत्र दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। 🇮🇳#HappyRepublicDay2021 pic.twitter.com/vkLohb4qQJ
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 26, 2021
07:59 (IST)
Armed forces ‘adequately mobilised’ to thwart bid: Ram Nath Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday asserted that while India remains committed to peace, its armed forces are “adequately mobilised” in a “well-coordinated” move to thwart any attempt to undermine national security as he referred to the “expansionist” move by China in Ladakh last year.
“Our national interest will be protected at all costs,” the president declared in his address to the nation on the eve of the 72nd Republic Day during which he also sought to allay fears of farmers over the three contentious farm laws.
“The path of reform at the initial stages may cause misapprehensions but the government is singularly devoted to the farmers’ welfare,” he said, as the protests by the farmer unions demanding repeal of the three laws continues at border points in Delhi.
07:47 (IST)
Smaller crowds, no chief guest: What to expect from Republic Day this year
India is all set to display its military might during the annual parade 26 January (Tuesday). However, this year’s parade will be different from previous years as it is for the first time that it will be held amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath today are likely to see a number of changes including smaller marching contingents, shorter distance for the parade and fewer spectators compared to the previous years.
India will mark its 72nd Republic Day this year, and it will be the first major public event in since the COVID-19 outbreak.
This is also the second year in a row that the parade will be held under the shadow of protests. In 2020, the parade was held under raging protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
07:30 (IST)
Farmers’ rally testimony to celebration of Republic, constitutional ethos: Punjab CM
Calling the tractor parade on Republic Day a “testimony to the celebration of the Indian Republic and its constitutional ethos”, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh Monday appealed to the farmers to ensure that it remains peaceful, just like their anti-farm law protests.
“Peace has been the hallmark of your (farmers’) democratic protests all these months, and should remain integral to your agitation in the days ahead, including the R-Day tractor rally into the National Capital,” the chief minister said in his Republic Day eve message.
07:28 (IST)
PM extends greetings on Republic Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took to Twitter to extend greetings on Republic Day ahead of the farmers’ tractor parade amid COVID-19 protocols. The National Capital is under high security as the city would be witnessing two big events – Republic Day celebrations and a farmers’ tractor parade.
देशवासियों को गणतंत्र दिवस की ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। जय हिंद!
Wishing all the people of India a Happy #RepublicDay. Jai Hind!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2021
Republic Day 2021 LATEST Updates: The 72nd R-Day parade culminates with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’. The aircraft is piloted by Gp Capt Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Squadron leader Kislaykant
Clashes broke out on the outskirts of Delhi at Singhu Border on Tuesday as police used tear gas to stop thousands of protesting farmers entering the city to hold a tractor rally in protest against the new agricultural laws on Republic Day.
Thousands of farmers knocked down police barricades and entered Delhi on foot Tuesday morning amid huge police presence ahead of a tractor rally.
Ladakh’s tableau depicted the iconic Thiksey Monastery located on top of a hill in Thikse in Leh district, and is one of the most-visited tourist sites in the region. It also featured the Indian Astronomical Observatory, located in Hanle near Leh.
For the first time, Marching Contingent and Band of Bangladesh participate in India’s Republic Day parade as the two nations celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the ceremonial book at the National War Memorial at the India Gate. Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Navy Staff were also present.
Ahead of the tractor’s rally, protesters near the Singhu and Tikri border broke police barricades and entered Delhi. The farmers are marching on foot as well as on tractors.
For the first time in over 50 years, there will also be no chief guest at this year’s parade, after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed ‘regret’ that he would not be able to visit India.
Thousands of armed personnel have been deployed at the Rajpath and several border points of the National Capital which has been brought under a multi-layered security cover in view of Republic Day celebrations as well as the proposed tractor parade by farmers on Tuesday.
Protesting farmer unions opposing the three contentious farm laws said their parade will not enter central Delhi and it will start only after the official Republic Day parade concludes.
The unions claimed that around two lakh tractors are expected to participate in their parade which will move into the city from three border points – Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur (UP Gate).
For Republic Day celebrations, an official said around 6,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain vigil. Facial recognition system of Delhi Police has also been set up at vantage points for suspect identification, the official said.
Checking and frisking staff deployed at Rajghat will be done by personnel in PPE kits, with mask and face shield, keeping in line with COVID-19 protocols, an official said.
On Tuesday, sharpshooters and snipers will be deployed on top of high-rise buildings to keep watch on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath.
A five-layer security cover comprising of border pickets, inner, middle and outer security has been deployed in and around the city to maintain law and order during the Republic Day ceremony and the proposed tractor parade, a senior police officer said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Eish Singhal said more than 6,000 police personnel will be deployed at Rajpath for Republic day celebrations.
Following COVID protocols, only 25,000 people will be allowed to attend the ceremony at Rajpath as opposed to over one lakh spectators who usually attended the event every year, he said.
The parade will also be shorter this year. Instead of marching up to Red Fort, the parade will end at National Stadium and only the tableaux will be allowed to perform at Red Fort, he also said.
“We have 140 CCTV cameras across Republic Day parade route and along with the enclosures. We have identified and set up facial recognition system at 30 identified spots at the Rajpath from where the public would enter.
“This system is fed with a database of nearly over 50,000 people including that of suspected terrorists, criminals and anti-social elements,” said another senior police officer.
To maintain law and order during the farmers’ tractor parade, thousands of security personnel have been already deployed at several border points.
Deependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence), claimed on Sunday that over 300 Twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan to disrupt the tractor parade.
In a circular, Delhi Police Commissioner S N Srivastava directed all officers and personnel, as well as Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), posted for the Republic Day Parade security arrangements to be prepared for an extended deployment to maintain law and order in the wake of the tractor parade.
“Over 300 Twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan during January 13 to 18 to disrupt the tractor rally by farmers by misleading people. There are inputs about the same from different agencies too.
“It will be a challenging task for us but the rally will be conducted amid tight security after the Republic Day parade is over,” Pathak had said at a press conference.
Farmer leaders have appealed to those participating in the tractor parade to carry enough ration for 24 hours and ensure that the rally remains peaceful.
“No one should carry any weapon or drink alcohol. Banners carrying inciting messages are not allowed,” a farmer leader said.
Those starting from the Singhu border will traverse Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, Bawana, Qutabgarh, Auchandi border and Kharkhoda toll plaza. The entire route will be 63 kilometres long.
The 62-km long second route, starting from the Tikri border, will pass through Nagloi, Najafgarh, Jharoda border and Rohtak bypass and Asoda toll plaza, the farmer leaders said.
Tractors starting from Ghazipur will drive through Apsara border, Hapur Road and Lal Kuan. Covering 68 kilometres, it is the longest route for the march.
The farmer leaders will be on the frontline in their cars.
All vehicles will have to return to the originating place. No one will try and stop midway without a valid reason, the farmer leaders said. Each tractor will carry a tricolour and there will be folk music and patriotic songs.
Enacted in September last year, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their products anywhere in the country.
However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of minimum support price and do away with the ‘mandi’ (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.