Coimbatore Jan 26 PTI A few workers of Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam MMI were arrested here on Wednesday when they attempted to take out a procession with the images of freedom fighters The organisation planned to take out the tableaux of V O Chidambaram Pillai Marudu Brothers Velu Nachiyar after the Centre rejected the tableaux of Tamil Nadu for Republic Day The workers led by MMI founder V Eswaran gathered at Kurichi to take out the tableaux but the police stopped them After arguments all the workers were arrested police said Eswaran said MMI sought permission late Tuesday but police denied it and the workers were taking out procession holding the images of the freedom fighters Meanwhile some workers belonging to various political parties and organisations were arrested here for attempting to stage a demonstration condemning the Centre for rejecting Tamil Nadu tableaux in the Republic Day parade Cadre of Dravida Kazhakam CPI and CPI-M participated in the demonstration in front of a Periyar statue at Puliyakulam PTI NVM NVG NVG

Chennai Jan 26 PTI Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi unfurled the national flag at the Marina Beach front here in the presence of Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday as the state government showcased a tableau rejected by a Central panel proposed for the grand event in the national capital The Republic Day Parade on Marina was a low key affair this year lasting for about 28 minutes owing to the pandemic situation The state government on Tuesday had issued an advisory asking the general public children and senior citizens to refrain from visiting the Marina Beach front to watch the event today Exactly at 8 AM the Governor unfurled the national flag After a spectacular march past by the contingents of the armed forces police and paramilitary forces the Tamil Nadu government showcased the Republic Day tableau which was rejected by a Central committee depicting a statue of Queen Velu Nachiyar riding a horse with a sword in hand and women soldiers It also portrayed the Tamil Nadu freedom struggle highlighting the role of V O Chidambaram Pillai and national poet Subramania Bharathi Stalin had earlier announced that the rejected float will be included in the Tamil Nadu governments Republic Day celebrations on Wednesday Earlier after the unfurling of the flag an Air Force helicopter showered flower petals on the venue Stalin presented various medals including to uniformed personnel for acts of bravery Wing Commander Anuj Gupta was the overall Parade Commander of the Republic Day parade PTI JSP SA SA