Photos: Republic Day parade amid Covid-19 and Tractor Rally against farm laws

• India is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day today. Hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrations were considerably muted. Indian armed forces contingents marched in smaller formations compared to earlier years, motorcycle stunts and veterans rally were not featured in this year’s parade. While the Republic Day parade was on in Central Delhi’s Rajpath, farmers stationed in Delhi’s border areas for two months commenced on their tractor rally to protest against the central government’s new farm laws. Incidents of violence were reported from ITO and the protest sites in Ghazipur and Tikri.

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Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30 fighter jets perform a fly past during the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath, in New Delhi on January 26. India is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day today.(Atul Yadav / PTI)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST

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Dignitaries wearing face masks sit distantly as they look on during a flypast by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day celebrations, in New Delhi on January 26. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, celebrations were muted this year with notable omissions like motorcycle stunts and veterans rally.(Atul Yadav / PTI)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST

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Performers dance next to a float representing Ladakh during Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26. The Ladakh tableau made its debut this year highlighting the vision for it to be carbon neutral.(Jewel Samad / AFP)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST

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Soldiers on T-90 (Bhisma) tanks march along Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26.(Jewel Samad / AFP)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST

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Long queues of tractors during a protest rally in New Delhi on January 26. Meanwhile, farmers stationed at Delhi borders commenced on their tractor rally to protest against the new farm laws brought in by the Central government.(Danish Siddiqui / REUTERS)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST

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Police officers scuffle with a demonstrator during the tractor rally in New Delhi on January 26. Violence was reported during the rally from Delhi’s ITO.(Adnan Abidi / REUTERS)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST

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A farmer takes cover from tear gas shells fired by Delhi Police during the tractor rally in New Delhi on January 26.(Adnan Abidi / REUTERS)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST

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Farmers break through barricades during the tractor rally at Tikri border near New Delhi on January 26, 2021. Samyukt Kisan Morcha leader Rakesh Tikait told HT that they wanted to conduct a peaceful tractor rally of the farmers protesting against the agricultural laws but the confusion over the route to be followed led to chaos in Delhi.(Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST

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Farmers on tractors remove concrete barricades installed to prevent them from entering the city during the tractor rally in New Delhi on January 26.(Sajjad Hussain / AFP)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST

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Farmers on a tractor outside the Red Fort in New Delhi on January 26. Hundreds of protesting farmers reached the Red Fort at around 2.30 pm and hoisted a flag, HT reported.(Sajjad Hussain / AFP)

PUBLISHED ON JAN 26, 2021 03:41 PM IST