The 77th Republic Day celebrations were held on a grand scale across Kerala on Monday, but the official ceremony in the state capital was marked by a fresh flashpoint in the ongoing standoff between the Governor and the LDF government. 

At the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Governor Rajendra Arlekar hoisted the national flag, inspected the parade comprising various contingents, and received the ceremonial salute. However, in a departure from convention, the Governor chose to deviate from the printed speech that had been distributed at the Republic Day function.