New Parliament Building Inauguration: 'Sengol' Kept in Museum As 'Stick of Nehruji', Smriti Irani Tears Into Cong

The Delhi Police on Friday issued traffic advisory ahead of the inauguration of the new parliament meeting by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28 and asked people to avoid make necessary adjustments ahead of travel through the New Delhi District between 5:30 am and 3:00 pm on Sunday. READ MORE

CPM national general secretary Sitaram Yechury accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “destroying democracy” and envoking the medieval ‘Sengol’ which he termed as a symbol of Autocracy. “Democracy is about the relationship between the State & the Citizen. Where all citizens are equal irrespective of Caste, Creed or Gender. State is administrated by a Govt elected by the People. Modi is destroying this democracy & now invokes the medieval ‘Sengol’, symbol of Autocracy,” he said in a tweet.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a tweet said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will install the symbol of righteousness and justice, the sacred ‘Sengol’ in the New Parliament Building, which was presented by priests from Adheenam in Tamil Nadu to mark the transfer of power from Britain to India. This building is a symbol of the resolve and capabilities of Atmanirbhar Bharat and will provide a new dimension to our rich cultural heritage and incredible democratic tradition.”

A collective of 270 esteemed individuals, including former bureaucrats, ambassadors, and veterans, expressed their disapproval of the Opposition’s decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building. They denounced the opposition parties, suggesting that while the government prioritizes an “India First” approach, the opposition engages in a “family first brand of politics.” The group questioned how parties driven by family-centric interests could reconcile with an India-centric perspective, leading them to boycott all symbols representing India.

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal addresses the controversy surrounding the inauguration of the new Parliament by stating, “It is a matter of sidelining the first tribal-woman President of India. Why didn’t they (Centre) invite the President of India?” Regarding the Centre’s ordinance on the transfer of Delhi officials, Venugopal mentions, “We have received a formal request from Delhi CM Kejriwal regarding the ordinance. Our party will internally discuss this matter and make a final decision.”

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the new Parliament building was a welcome addition and looks “pretty damn impressive”. “Setting aside the brouhaha about the inauguration for a moment, this building is a welcome addition. The old Parliament House has served us well but as someone who has worked there for a few years, a lot of us often spoke amongst ourselves about the need for a new and improved Parliament building. Better late than never is all I’ll say and this one looks pretty damn impressive,” the NC vice president wrote on Twitter.

“Lord Mountbatten presented the Sengol sceptre to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947.Prime Minister Modi will have the honor of placing the Sengol in the new Parliament building. Tomorrow, we are heading to Delhi, and as the representative of Thiruvavaduthurai Atheenam, I will personally hand over the Sengol sceptre to the Prime Minister,” stated Ambalavana Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal, Thiruvavaduthurai Atheenam.

Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party leader Prem Das Rai, speaking on the Opposition boycott of the new Parliament building, said: “We are getting a new Parliament after 96 years. A new Parliament building will serve the purpose of expanding responsibility towards the people of India.”

Speaking on the Congress decision to boycott inauguration of new Parliament building, Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said “Congress should have thought about the larger interest of the nation but they’re into petty politics, they’re not interested in the development of India…they’re not interested in the future of India…”

Sharing the first glimpse of the Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said, “The new Parliament building will make every Indian proud. This video offers a glimpse of this iconic building.” He also called for citizens to share the clip with voice-overs using the #MyParliamentMyPride tag. “I have a special request- share this video with your own voice-over, which conveys your thoughts. I will re-Tweet some of them. Don’t forget to use #MyParliamentMyPride,” he added.

First look at the New Parliament building that will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, May 28.

First look at the New Parliament building that will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, May 28.

Responding to a tweet by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh regarding the Opposition boycott of the new parliament building inauguration, BJP leader CT Ravi said, “It is hardly surprising that CONgis are coming up with false narratives to hide the anti-Hindu act by Nehru with respect to the Sengol. For decades, CONgress & its Ecosystem distorted history to suit its sinister agenda. And now CONgis are crying after they are fully exposed.”

JDU State President Umesh Kushwaha announced protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the new Parliament House,, stating JDU leaders will observe a fast in front of Baba Saheb’s statue near Patna High Court from 11 am on May 28. Kushwaha expressed his concern, and said lack of invitation extended to the President for the inauguration amounted to an insult to Dalits and women. He emphasized that the JDU will not tolerate any form of disrespect towards Dalit women.

Navneet Rana, an Independent MP said, “the old Parliament was constructed by the British, but the new Parliament is the result of Indian intellect and labour. I don’t understand why the opposition is creating a fuss. It seems they are upset by the fact that Prime Minister Modi has achieved what they couldn’t. Their objections are rooted in their personal issues with PM Modi.”

Union Minister Smriti Irani questioned the Congress party’s motives behind the boycott of the new Parliament building inauguration, and said “they won’t understand the meaning of transfer power. Are they against Hindu religon?” She also demanded clarification from the Congress party regarding their failure to invite the Governor in Chhattisgarh and other places.

Union Minister Smriti Irani expressed her strong criticism of the Congress party during a press conference regarding the opposition parties’ boycott of the inauguration ceremony for the new Parliament Building. She accused the Congress and the Gandhi family of neglecting the significance of ‘Sengol’, a symbol of freedom, by keeping it hidden in a museum as a mere ‘stick of Nehruji’

“This tradition is not limited to Tamil culture alone but is an integral part of Indian traditions. The Chola emperors were renowned as some of the greatest rulers in the world, and they also conducted the ‘Sengol’ ceremony. Prime Minister Modi is a capable leader, and he is rightfully performing the ‘Sengol’ by inaugurating the new Parliament Building,” said Devanathan Yadav, Founder-President of Tamil Nadu-based Inthiya Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam (IMKMK), amidst the controversy surrounding the inauguration of the New ParliamentBuilding by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Amid the ongoing row over over the inauguration of the new Parliament building, NCP National Spokesperson Clyde Crasto said, “The ‘Sceptre’ will ‘Herald’ the beginning of ‘Transfer of Power’ that will happen after the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.”

Lok Jansakti Party (LJP) chief and Lok Sabha MP Chirag Paswan expressed his party’s support for the inauguration of the new Parliament building in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister. Paswan strongly criticised the decision of 19 opposition parties to boycott the event and urged them to reconsider their stance.