New Delhi, December 26: The Central government has denied permission to Kerala for presenting its tableau representing the 'renaissance values' during the Republic Day Parade on 26th January 2019. The decision by the Centre is believed to have triggered a political row between the Central government and Kerala. According to a report by News 18, Kerala was to present a tableau on the renaissance theme of Vaikom Satyagraha and the Temple Entry Proclamation. However, the state claimed that it did not receive any letter on the de-selection. The report further informs that a total of 19 states had gotten permission to present their floats in the Republic Day parade on January 26, including Kerala. Donald Trump Will Not Attend India's Republic Day 2019 Celebrations Due to 'Scheduling Constraints', Confirms White House. 

The Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement against untouchability in the Hindu society which was centred on a temple in Vaikom for a year from 1924 to 1925. The Satyagraha movement was aimed to bring freedom to all sections of society through public roads that led to the Sri Mahadeva Temple. This, however, paved way for the Temple Entry Proclamation which abolished the ban on the 'low caste people' from entering Hindu temples. Cyril Ramaphosa Accepts India's Invitation To Be Republic Day 2019 Chief Guest.

The decision comes days after the Defence Ministry rejected Assam’s tableau for the 2019 Republic Day parade for ‘misinterpretation of the theme’. Reports inform that the northeastern state had decided to display Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Sualkuchi in the year 1946 but, the tableau sent for the parade was different and didn't match up to the theme. Reports quoted Assam cultural affairs minister Naba Kumar Doley saying that there are some technical problems in the tableaux. As per reports, the Ministry has decided to adopt tableaux of themes relating to Mahatma Gandhi to mark his 150th birth anniversary.

According to reports, Defence secretary Sanjay Mitra had sent an official letter to all the states selected for presenting their floats during the Republic Day Parade. However, reports claim that the state government of Kerala did not get any letter and now, the state would not be a part of the event. Sources in the Chief Minister’s Office were quoted in the report saying that they have not received any official letter from the Centre on the de-selection. However, officials in the defence ministry said the state has been informed that their float did not make it to the final list.

The report by News 18, further states that there are allegations that this is Centre’s way of punishing Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala for vowing to implement the Supreme Court order on women entry in Sabarimala as the ruling BJP was protesting against the order.

Even earlier, Kerala's floats were rejected in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, the state's float was made in the shape of ‘Kettukazhcha’ of Ochira Parabrahma Temple which received huge appreciation. In 2014, the state had received a gold medal for their tableau.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 26, 2018 01:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).