Sahib denies reports on R-Day celebrations

"The Delhi Government is not doing this for the first time. We do it every year at the Chhattrasal Stadium. A clarification to this effect has been issued by the Delhi Chief Secretary," he added.

Senior Government officials were surprised at the sudden attention being given to a normal procedure, followed every year. A senior bureaucrat said: "Such Republic Day functions are held by schools, offices and various other institutions. At this rate, even these should be called parallel functions."

According to the officials in-charge of protocol, the main function for Republic Day is held at the Old Secretariat where the tricolour is unfurled by the Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi. The same practice is followed by states all over the country. An official in the Lt. Governor’s office said: "As far as the Delhi Government is concerned, this is the only official function where the Lt. Governor takes the salute."