Absence of Sikh Regiment in R-Day parade regrettable: Badal to PM
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 31
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today described the absence of the Sikh regiment from the Republic Day parade as “sad and regrettable” and urged the Union Government to issue necessary instructions and guidelines to ensure that the Sikh Regiment is never kept out of the annual event in future.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Badal pointed towards the "a widespread feeling of hurt and resentment caused by the non-inclusion of Sikh Regiment in the Republic Day parade where French President François Hollande was the chief guest”.
Badal emphasised that the Republic Day parade is always regarded as a great occasion to showcase India's multi-cultural and multi-religious identity, highlighting its secular ethos. "As a vibrant and fiercely patriotic minority community in the country, the Sikhs are always seen as the most powerful symbol of this multi-dimensional identity and secular character of the country.
Recalling the role of the Sikh community, he said they have made unparalleled sacrifices not only for the freedom of the country but also for defending that freedom against foreign aggression. They have a strong presence in the armed forces and their patriotic and martial traditions are something on which the entire country rightly takes pride."
Because of these factors, said Badal, the presence of Sikh regiment in the Republic Day parade is regarded as a natural part of our nationalistic symbolism.
