Both the government and the opposition on Sunday appeared unanimous on not scaling down the Republic Day celebrations on account of the death and devastation caused on December 26 by tsunamis.

"It is an observance of national day and achievements of the nation and not associated with festivities," Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters in Delhi after an all party meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images].

January 26 was a historic day in the country's freedom struggle and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had said in 1930 that it would be celebrated as Independence Day, which was how it was observed from 1931 to 1947.

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said the January 26 celebrations did not figure in the all-party meeting.

She, however, said BJP was of the view that there was no need to tone down the Republic Day parade. "It has nothing to do with festivities. It demonstrates the nation's strength and capacity. It would only serve to boost the morale of the people," she said.

Photograph: Saab Press