Assam rifles battalion parades on Rajpath during Republic Day in Delhi.
The Assam Rifles is the oldest paramilitary force of India. The unit can trace its lineage back to a paramilitary police force that was formed under the British in 1835 called Cachar Levy. Since then the Assam Rifles have undergone a number of name changes before the name Assam Rifles was finally adopted in 1917. The Assam Frontier Police (1883), the Assam Military Police (1891) and Eastern Bengal and Assam Military Police (1913), before finally becoming the Assam Rifles in 1917. Over the course of its history, the Assam Rifles and its predecessor units have served in a number of roles, conflicts and theatres including World War I where they served in Europe and the Middle East, and World War II where they served mainly in Burma. In the post World War II period the Assam Rifles has expanded greatly as has its role. There are currently 46 battalions of Assam Rifles under the control of the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and they perform many roles including the provision of internal security under the control of the army through the conduct of counter insurgency and border security operations, provision of aid to the civil power in times of emergency, and the provision of communications, medical assistance and education in remote areas. In times of war they can also be used as a combat force to secure rear areas if needed. Since 2002 it has been guarding the India-Myanmar border as per the government policy “one border one force”.
Republic Day: It was on 26th January, 1950 that the Indian Constitution came into effect, making India a Republic. Ever since, India celebrates 26th January as its Republic Day. The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November, 1949 and when it came into force on 26 January, it replaced the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.
26 January was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1930 when the Declaration of Indian Independence was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by the British Regime.
This auspicious day is commemorated as one of the three national holidays in India- the other two being Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti. There are grand Republic Day celebrations across India but the one, which is the most popular, and the most anticipated is that along the Raj Path in Delhi. The celebrations are held in the form of ceremonious parades of various wings of the Indian armed, paramilitary and central police forces followed by tableaux of the states of India and the various ministries of the Indian Government, showcasing India’s military might and socio-cultural diversity and richness.
Much like Independence Day celebrations, the Republic Day celebrations at Raj Path are also graced by a political leader of a foreign country. The French President Francois Hollande graced the 67th Republic Day celebrations in 2016 at Raj Path as Chief Guest.
The 67th Republic Day also saw many firsts, some being, marching of a French army band as part of the parade, marching of an Indian army dog squad and absence of the iconic camel mounted BSF contingent.
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