Mamata accuses centre of rejecting state’s tableau for R-Day parade

Kolkata, Jan 4 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the centre of excluding the state’s tableau from this year’s Republic Day parade, alleging it was opposed to the state’s theme of the artist’s unity.

“This year Delhi did not allow our tableau. We planned to bring different form of folk artistes like the street artistes, Bauls, Sufi singers and Fakirs on the same platform for this year’s Republic Day tableau. But they (the centre) could not accept that,” she said after inaugurating Kenduli Mela in Birbhum district.

“I believe treating everyone equally is my religion. Why should we divide on the basis of religion? Why would we differentiate between Hindus and Muslims, rich and poor?” she asked in a veiled attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Referring to a group of Bauls present at the meeting, Banerjee said the saffron colour only suits them who lead a life of salvation and not others who believe in divisiveness.

IANS