Responding to the Indian government’s decision to exclude Tamil Nadu’s submission for its 75^th annual Republic Day parade, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin maintained that this was “unacceptable”.

“Exclusion of the tableau of Tamil Nadu will deeply hurt the sentiments and patriotic feelings of the people of Tamil Nadu. That the committee chooses to ignore and reject all of these seven designs shown to it as per the modifications suggested by its members is unacceptable” Stalin wrote in an open letter that urged India’s Prime Minister to intervene.

The central theme of the parade which will be held in New Delhi is India’s freedom struggle and the submission from Tamil Nadu featured renowned freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu including V.O Chidambarnar, Subramania Bharathi, Rani Velu Nacchiyar, and the Marudhupandiyar brothers.

The letter noted that Tamil Nadu representatives appeared before the Expert Committee for selection thrice with the committee initially expressing approval for their designs. The committee did not invite Tamil Nadu to a fourth round of meetings and informed the state that it had been left out while shortlisting.

Who was Chidambaranar?

The Tamil Nadu tableau featured V.O. Chidambaranar, a former leader of the Indian National Congress, who rose to prominence by establishing the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (SSNC) in 1906 which challenged Britain’s naval monopoly of the region.

Chidambaranar launched the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo with the SSNC. The Tuticorin port, one of India’s 13 major ports was later named after him.

He was also a renowned Labour activist known well for his 1908 speech in Thoothukudi in which he encouraged workers at Coral Mill to protest against their low wages and harsh working conditions. Following the subsequent strike, he joined 50 workers to met with their managers and agreed to increase their wages, reduce working hours and provide leave on Sunday.

Catching wind of his political activism British authorities detained him in Coimbatore and Kannanoor jail where he was treated as a convict and forced to do hard labour which impaired his health.

Who was Subramania Bharathi?

Subramania Bharathi, also referred to as Maha Javi Bharathiar, was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry and freedom fighter who wrote avidly about patriotism, the emancipation of women, against child marriage, and reforming Bhraminism and religion. He also stood in solidarity with Dalits and Muslims.

Stalin’s letter details the high esteem Mahatma Gandhi held for the patriot.

Who was Rani Velu Naciyar?

The rear of the tableau was to feature a statue of Rani Velu Nachiyar riding a horse with a sword in hand and with women soldiers.

She was the first Indian Queen to wage war with the East Indian Company in India and was known as the Queen of Sivagangai Region from 1780 to 1790.

In defiance of British rule, she blew up an ammunition storage of the East Indian Company by arranging a suicide attack. She is hailed as “Veeramangai” a brave woman.

Who were the Marudhupandiyar brothers?

Accompanying her statue were images of the Marudhupandiyar brothers who brave warriors who fought alongside the queen and were able to secure back Sivagangal from the British. They became the Kings of the region before being executed by the East Indian Company.

Read Stalin's full letter below.

In my letter to Hon'ble Prime Minister Thiru @NarendraModi, I've requested his urgent intervention to arrange to include the tableau of Tamil Nadu as this is a matter of grave concern to the State of Tamil Nadu and its people. pic.twitter.com/0byXlYStCc

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) January 17, 2022