The Kolkata Police’s Mounted Police will not be part of the Republic Day parade on Red Road this year. This exclusion marks the fourth consecutive year since an incident in 2022 involving a horse and the then-Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar. Instead of real horses, spectators will witness the Indian Army’s mechanical ‘robotic mules’ at the parade.
Although the horses won’t be in the parade, the mounted police unit will be stationed in the Maidan area on Republic Day. Their role will be to ensure the safety of spectators and maintain law and order during the event. The mounted police will be vigilant throughout the day to prevent any issues.
On January 26, 2022, during the Republic Day parade, a horse from the Kolkata Police’s mounted unit caused a disruption by turning its back on the Governor. The incident occurred as the horse got distracted by its own image on a giant screen near the Red Road. Despite being quickly brought back in line, the mounted police unit has not participated in parades since then.
The Kolkata Police headquarters confirmed that the mounted police will continue to sit out of the Republic Day parade this year. The decision stems from the incident involving the horse and Governor Dhankhar, leading to the exclusion of the mounted unit from subsequent parades.
