Fact Check: Karnataka’s tableau features Tipu Sultan in 2025 Republic Day parade? No, viral image is from 2014

Hyderabad: India celebrated its 74th Republic Day on January 26 with grand festivities in New Delhi and nationwide. The celebration showcased India’s cultural diversity, military strength and technological progress. This year’s chief guest was president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, reflecting deepening ties between India and Egypt. It was the first time an Egyptian president was invited as the chief guest.

In this context, an image of Tipu Sultan’s tableau has been circulating on social media with the claim that the tableau of the erstwhile ruler of Mysore was taken out by Karnataka during this year’s Republic Day parade.

A Facebook user shared the image of the tableau and wrote, “You (referring to Hindus) hate Tipu Sultan so much, yet you still have to take out a procession in his honour. That’s why I say, Muslims, elevate your stature so high that even those who hate you are compelled to sing your praises.” (Archive)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is misleading. The viral image of the tableau is from 2014.

Through a reverse image search, we found a similar image featured in a January 27, 2014, NDTV report titled, ‘Tipu Sultan tableau on Republic Day sparks war on Twitter.’

According to the report, Tipu Sultan’s inclusion in Karnataka’s tableau for the Republic Day parade sparked intense debate on social media, with many critics contending that it was inappropriate to honour an 18th-century ruler often accused of being a ‘tyrant responsible for the deaths of thousands.’

We also found the viral image in a January 26, 2014, India Today report titled ‘Trending on Twitter: Karnataka’s Tipu Sultan tableau at Republic Day parade.’

The report highlighted a war of words on Twitter after Karnataka’s tableau at the Republic Day parade on Rajpath featured Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore, popularly known as the Tiger of Mysore.

NDTV also published a video of Tipu Sultan’s tableau featured during the 2014 Republic Day parade in a report titled ‘200 years later, Tipu Sultan’s Karnataka debates his legacy.’ Additionally, the same tableau can be seen in the video livestreamed of the 65th Republic Day Parade on Doordarshan National’s YouTube channel from January 26, 2014. The tableau appeared at the 1:59:32-hour mark in the video.

What was Karnataka’s tableau in the 2025 Republic Day parade?

According to a PTI report published by The Hindu and Hindustan Times on January 26, 2025, Karnataka’s tableau at the 76th Republic Day parade showcased prominent temples of the historic city of Lakkundi.

The front portion featured the Brahma statue from the Brahma Jinalaya temple, the oldest Jain shrine in Lakkundi dedicated to Lord Mahaveera, followed by the open-pillared mantapa of the temple. The main section displayed the grand and ornate Kashi Vishweshwara and Nanneshwara temples, both dedicated to Lord Shiva.

On January 26, 2025, Sansad TV published a video of Karnataka’s tableau, showcasing the same visuals described in the PTI report.

Therefore, we conclude that the Karnataka tableau did not feature Tipu Sultan in the 2025 Republic Day parade. The claim is misleading.