Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, January 18, responded to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s letter to the Prime Minister questioning the rejection of the state’s tableau for the

upcoming Republic Day parade. In the letter, Stalin had said that the rejection of Tamil Nadu's tableau — which included freedom fighters VO Chidambaranar, Mahakavi Bharathiyar, Rani

Velu Nachiyar and the Maruthu brothers — is ‘disappointing’ and called for the Prime Minister to intervene. Responding to the Chief Minister’s letter, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

said that Tamil Nadu’s tableau was considered in three rounds of meetings, but did not make it to the final list.