File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the new Parliament House, in New Delhi on March 30, 2023.
New Delhi: Protesting the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, May 28, 2023, 19 political parties issued a joint statement today saying they will boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
“Prime Minister Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response,” the joint statement said.
The political parties to boycott the inauguration event are the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India -Marxist (CPI-M), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Indian National Congress (INC), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Janata Dal-United (JD-U), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Kerala Congress (Mani), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), National Conference, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Revolutionary Socialist Party, Samajwadi Party (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi.
So far the political parties that have confirmed their participation in the event are Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP). Some other parties such as Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Biju Janata Dal are yet to take a call on the issue.
Meanwhile, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah today disclosed that at the inauguration of the new Parliament House, PM Modi will establish the historical and sacred “Sengol”, which is the symbol of the transfer of power from the British to India, prominently close to the Speaker’s podium in the new Parliament House. “The Hon’ble Prime Minister took a decision to adopt the Sengol as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal,” Shah said. This is the same Sengol that was accepted by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru at his residence on the night of 14th August 1947, in the presence of several leaders.
“Even after 75 years of independence, most of the people in India are not aware of this event in which India’s transfer of power took place through handing over of Sengol to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru. It was a special occasion on the night of August 14, 1947, celebrating India’s independence. On this night Jawaharlal Nehru received the ‘Sengol’ from the Adheenams (Priests) of the ThiruvaduthuraiAdheenam (Mutt) in Tamil Nadu, who had specially arrived for the occasion. It was precisely the moment in which power was transferred by the British into the hands of Indians. What we are celebrating as independence is actually marked by the very moment of handing over the ‘Sengol’,” Shah said.
The new building of Parliament will witness the very same event, with Adheenam(Priests) repeating the ceremony and vesting the PM with the Sengol.
The Home Minister further elaborated on the Sengol and said, “Tamil word “Semmai”, meaning “Righteousness”. It is blessed by the high priests of a leading Dharmic Mutt in Tamil Nadu. The Nandi, with its unyielding gaze as the beholder of “Nyaya”, is hand-carved at the top. Most importantly, the recipient of the Sengol has the “order” (“Aanai” in Tamil) to rule justly and fairly. This is what is most appealing, for those elected to serve the people must never forget this.”
This “historic” plan has been prepared in consultation with the presidents of Adheenam. All 20 Adheenam presidents will also be present on this auspicious occasion to shower their blessings in reminiscence of this sacred ritual. “I am glad that 96-year-old Shri WummidiBangaruChettyji, associated with its construction, will also participate in this sacred ceremony,” Shah informed.
– global bihari bureau
