Pakistan General Who Suppressed Democracy Was Republic Day Chief Guest in 1955

• Malik Ghulam Muhammad, Pakistan's Governor-General, was the chief guest at India's 1955 Republic Day celebrations.
• Ghulam Muhammad, an Aligarh University alumnus, served as Pakistan's first Finance Minister and later Governor-General.
• He orchestrated two coups, dismissing PM Khawaja Nazimuddin in 1953 and dissolving the Constituent Assembly in 1954.
• The 1955 Republic Day marked several firsts: celebrations on Rajpath (now Kartavya Path), a permanent parade format, increased grandeur, display of military power, and cultural tableaux.
• These changes in 1955 transformed the Republic Day celebrations into the traditions observed today.

Why It Matters: India invited a Pakistani General who suppressed democracy as its 1955 Republic Day chief guest, marking significant changes.