Many firsts at R-Day Parade: Bhairav Battalion, Suryastra, 61 Cavalry in combat gear
New Delhi (PTI): Newly raised Bhairav light commando battalion and Shaktiban Regiment, rocket launcher system 'Suryastra' with deep-strike capabilities, and key military assets, including indigenous platforms accompanied with personnel, rolling down the Kartavya Path in a "phased battle array formation" -- the 77th Republic Day Parade saw many firsts.
Double-humped Bactrian camels and Zanskar ponies were also part of the ceremonial event for the first time, adding an element of curiosity and excitement among the crowds.
Also, marking a first, the contingent members of the mounted 61 Cavalry were seen in battle gear during the parade.
The 61 Cavalry, known for its imposing presence as its members wear ceremonial uniform and a striking headgear, has traditionally been the leading contingent of the armed forces in the ceremonial parade.
Capt Ahaan Kumar, 26, a third-generation officer, who led the iconic contingent, an honour he had in the 2025 parade as well, returned to Kartvaya Path, along with his charger 'Ranveer', a Hanoverian breed, as the contingent commander thus year as well, albeit in a combat gear.
"For me, leading this historic contingent in a ceremonial uniform gives much greater joy than I had doing it in a combat gear, but yes, it felt very different in this year's parade," he told PTI, after the parade.
The Republic Day Parade also saw many other firsts this time.
A mixed scouts contingent seen in their heavy thermal gear in an operational role, were also part of the parade for the first time, the officials said.
For Lt Amit Choudhary, a second-generation army officer, who led this contingent in the parade, it was both be a personal milestone and a nostalgic nod to his father who was part of the ceremonial parade in 1990.
Dressed up in characteristic multi-layer suits teamed with special boots and polarised sunglasses meant for high terrain and harsh weather, he and his contingent members drew loud cheers from the crowd, as they marched along the Kartavya Path.
The young officer, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, is currently serving in 2 Arunachal Scouts of the Assam Regiment.
The mixed scouts contingent had members drawn from Ladakh Scouts, Dogra Scouts, Arunachal Scouts, Kumaon Scouts, Garhwal Scouts, and Sikkim Scouts.
The parade also see the debut of the Shaktiban Regiment, which has been set up in the artillery, to boost the Army's firepower capabilities.
The newly raised regiment will be equipped with a drone, counter-drone and loiter munition.
Bhairav light commando battalion had also made its Army Day Parade debut on January 15 in Jaipur. The battalion was raised around October last year.
A Bhairav Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry regiment took part in the January 26 parade in the national capital.
Bhairav Battalion is a specialised assault infantry unit, bridging the capabilities of conventional infantry and special forces.
"Designed for rapid response and high-intensity operations, it serves as as the first responder on the battlefield," a defence ministry official said.
They embody the ethos of 'Sant Sipahi', fierce in battle yet spiritually composed.
The name 'Bhairav', inspired by the fierce and protective manifestations of Lord Shiva, symbolises "controlled aggression, invincibility and righteous power," the official said.
Other key defence assets showcased during the parade included BrahMos, Akash missile system, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Dhanush artillery gun, and a static display of some drones.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased its Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM), a hypersonic glide missile capable of engaging static and moving targets, designed to carry various payloads.
Captain Harshita Raghav, who led the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) contingent, said the contingent also included raptors (kites) and a few Army dogs.
"These animals are soldiers of the Indian Army only. In fact, they are the silent warriors, making them operationally ready, and understanding the requirements of operations from these animals are two very important aspects. They are true force multipliers of the Indian Army," she told PTI.
Eighteen marching contingents and 13 bands took part in the parade that lasted around 90 minutes.
The dominant theme of this year's parade was 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'.
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Trouble ‘Miyas’ everywhere only then they will leave Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Says “Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP are openly against them, we are saying it openly
New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that four to five lakh “Miya voters” would be removed from the electoral rolls in the state once the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists is carried out. He also made a series of controversial remarks openly targeting the Miya community, a term commonly used in Assam in a derogatory sense to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an official programme in Digboi in Tinsukia district, Sarma said it was his responsibility to create difficulties for the Miya community and claimed that both he and the BJP were “directly against Miyas”.
“Four to five lakh Miya votes will have to be deleted in Assam when the SIR happens,” Sarma said, adding that such voters “should ideally not be allowed to vote in Assam, but in Bangladesh”. He asserted that the government was ensuring that they would not be able to vote in the state.
The chief minister was responding to questions about notices issued to thousands of Bengali-speaking Muslims during the claims and objections phase of the ongoing Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls in Assam. While the Election Commission is conducting SIR exercises in 12 states and Union Territories, Assam is currently undergoing an SR, which is usually meant for routine updates.
Calling the current SR “preliminary”, Sarma said that a full-fledged SIR in Assam would lead to large-scale deletion of Miya voters. He said he was unconcerned about criticism from opposition parties over the issue.
“Let the Congress abuse me as much as they want. My job is to make the Miya people suffer,” Sarma said. He claimed that complaints filed against members of the community were done on his instructions and that he had encouraged BJP workers to keep filing complaints.
“I have told people wherever possible they should fill Form 7 so that they have to run around a little and are troubled,” he said, adding that such actions were meant to send a message that “the Assamese people are still living”.
In remarks that drew further outrage, Sarma urged people to trouble members of the Miya community in everyday life, claiming that “only if they face troubles will they leave Assam”. He also accused the media of sympathising with the community and warned journalists against such coverage.
“So you all should also trouble, and you should not do news that sympathise with them. There will be love jihad in your own house.” He said.
The comments triggered reactions from opposition leaders. Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi said the people of Assam had not elected Sarma to keep one community under constant pressure. Congress leader Aman Wadud accused the chief minister of rendering the Constitution meaningless in the state, saying his remarks showed a complete disregard for constitutional values.
According to the draft electoral rolls published on December 27, Assam currently has 2.51 crore voters. Election officials said 4.78 lakh names were marked as deceased, 5.23 lakh as having shifted, and 53,619 duplicate entries were removed during the revision process. Authorities also claimed that verification had been completed for over 61 lakh households.
On January 25, six opposition parties the Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI, CPI(M) and CPI(M-L) submitted a memorandum to the state’s chief electoral officer. They alleged widespread legal violations, political interference and selective targeting of genuine voters during the SR exercise, describing it as arbitrary, unlawful and unconstitutional.
