Fact Check: Old Republic Day images shared to discuss Centre rejecting Kerala's 2022 tableau

NewsMeter also received the viral collage on WhatsApp.

Fact Check

The claim is misleading.

According to a report published by Onmanorama on 14 January 2022, Kerala's tableau was rejected following a dispute between the state and the Defence ministry. "Kerala will have no representation in the procession of floats during the upcoming Republic Day celebrations in the national capital on January 26. Kerala's proposal was rejected at the final round of selection after a dispute arose between the state and the Defence ministry, which is in charge of the parade. While the Central ministry wanted a tableau depicting Adi Sankaracharya, who propounded the Adwaita philosophy, Kerala insisted on one presenting social reformer and spiritual leader Sree Narayana Guru. The dispute could not be settled, leading to Kerala's proposal being rejected," it said.

According to reports by Times Now and Money Control, tableaux of 12 states were selected this year namely Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

The first, second, and fourth images in the message being circulated are from this year's Republic Day parade. However, the third and sixth images are from 2013 and 2021, respectively.

Image 1 and 2

These images are from Karnataka's 2022 Republic Day tableau which, according to Times Now, was based on the theme "Cradle of Traditional Handicrafts".

Image 3

NewsMeter performed a Google reverse image search and was directed to a report published by Enarada on 26 January 2013. It had published a similar image as that included in the viral collage. According to the report, "Tableau of Karnataka depicting local artwork in the parade won the hearts of many."

Image 4

This photo is of the Uttar Pradesh tableau at the 2022 Republic Day parade. Times Now had published this image and said, "Uttar Pradesh's tableau was based on the achievements through skill development & employment via 'One District One Product'. The development in the Kashi Vishwanath corridor was also exhibited."

Image 5

We did not find any credible source to prove in which year and for which state was the tableau presented in the parade. However, the image is not from this year's Republic Day parade.

Image 6

On performing a Google reverse image search, we were directed to a report by The Hindu from 22 January 2021. The report was titled "U.P.'s Republic Day tableau to showcase Ayodhya". The report had published an image similar to the viral photo included in the collage.

"The Uttar Pradesh tableau in this year's Republic Day parade will showcase Ayodhya's cultural heritage and include a model of the Ram temple being built in the ancient city," the report had read.

It is therefore evident that the claim made through the viral post is misleading. It is true that the Central government had rejected Kerala's proposal to present social reformer and spiritual leader Sree Narayana Guru in its Republic Day tableau. However, the photos being shared are not related to this year's Republic Day. Two of the images are from earlier parades.