New Parliament Building Inauguration: PM Modi Receives 'Sengol' from Adheenams, Says It is Now Getting Rightful Place in Temple of Democracy

Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan gave a voiceover to a video using #MyParliamentMyPride, participating in PM Modi’s “special request” featuring the new sansad. “What a magnificent new home for the people who uphold our Constitution, represent every citizen of this great Nation and protect the diversity of her one People @narendramodi ji. A new Parliament building for a New India but with the age old dream of Glory for India. Jai Hind! #MyParliamentMyPride,” Khan said in a tweet.

“Feel very blessed that I had the opportunity to welcome the respected Adheenams to my residence,” PM Modi said in a tweet.

BJP MP Hema Malini speaking ahead of the inauguration of new Parliament building said, “This is a matter of great pride and honour for our country and each one of us, this is not a matter of controversy. Keeping all our differences in mind, let’s come together as a nation and celebrate this festival of democracy…”:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared to take a veiled dig at the Opposition parties who have announced boycott of the new Parliament building inauguration, “The more united India is, the stronger it will be. Those creating obstacles in our path to development will pose various challenges. Those who can’t stand India’s progress will attempt to break our unity. But I believe that the strength of spirituality that the nation is deriving for your organisations will help us face all challenges,” PM Modi said.

“The traditional symbol of Tamil power, the sceptre, will shine in India’s new Parliament building, ” said megastar Rajinikanth in a tweet. He also thanked PM Narendra Modi for “making Tamilians proud.”

“I am delighted that the symbol of India’s great tradition, Sengol will be installed in the new Parliament building. This Sengol will keep reminding us that we have to walk on the path of duty and remain answerable to the public,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during interaction with Adheenam seers from Tamil Nadu.

Taking a veiled dig at the Congress government, PM Modi said, “the ‘Sengol’ was kept on display as a ‘walking stick’ in Anand Bhawan, Prayagraj. Our Government have brought the Sengol out of Anand Bhawan.” The ceremonial sceptre ‘Sengol’ was given to first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to symbolise the transfer of power from the British to India in 1947.

“As a symbol of the transfer of power, a special ‘Sengol’ was prepared by the holy Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam in 1947,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during an interaction with seers after the handing over of the ceremonial ‘sengol’ at his residence in New Delhi.

“It is unfortunate that the people of Tamil Nadu did not receive due recognition when it comes to the freedom of our country,” stated PM Modi during interaction with Adheenam seers. “It is a matter of great fortune for me that all of you are at my residence today. I am also very happy that tomorrow, at the inauguration of the new Parliament House, all of you are going to come there and give blessings.”

Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi, who was handed over the iconic ‘Sengol’ by Adheenam seers who arrived from Tamil Nadu ahead of the inauguration of the new parliament building, in an interaction with the religious leaders said. “I am happy that I got an opportunity to meet you all together.” “Tamil Nadu played a very important role in freedom of India.”

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, “after the completion of the new parliament building, we demanded that the inauguration should take place in the presence of the President but it didn’t happen. The inauguration, which ideally should have been conducted by the President, did not receive their agreement. Consequently, several senior leaders from the Opposition have decided not to attend the program, and I fully support their decision.”

Speaking ahead of the new Parliament building inauguration, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, “I have been a Member of Parliament for years. We used to sit in the House but we got to know about the construction of new Parliament building through newspapers. While taking such an important decision, the Members should have been spoken to, but that didn’t happen.”

Several opposition parties have decided to boycott the inauguration event for the new Parliament building, asserting that it should be conducted by President Droupadi Murmu instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The parties boycotting the ceremony include the Congress with 81 MPs, DMK with 34 MPs, Shiv Sena-UBT with seven MPs, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with 11 MPs, Samajwadi Party with six MPs, and others like CPI, JMM, Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal (United), NCP, CPI-M, RJD, and more, each with varying numbers of MPs. In total, 20 opposition parties have declared their decision to boycott the inauguration event.

The inauguration of the new Parliament building, scheduled for Sunday, will see the participation or absence of various political parties. Among the parties attending the ceremony are those belonging to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with a total of 394 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as other NDA constituents such as Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) with 15 MPs, National People’s Party from Meghalaya with two MPs, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party with one MP, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha with one MP, and others like Jannayak Janata Party, AIADMK, AJSU, RPI (Athawale), and more.

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday (May 28), a total of 20 opposition parties have declared their refusal to attend the event. Their contention is that the inauguration should be carried out by President Droupadi Murmu instead.

Amidst the boycott by 20 opposition parties during the inauguration ceremony, the Sengol becomes embroiled in a political dispute. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh challenged the existence of documented evidence regarding Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari, and Nehru referring to the Sengol as a symbol of the British transfer of power to India. Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticized the Congress’ stance on the Sengol, urging the party to introspect on its behavior. He vehemently dismissed their claim that there was no evidence supporting the Sengol’s significance as a symbol of the British transfer of power to India in 1947.

According to reports, the Adheenam seers, who arrived from Tamil Nadu earlier in the day, met PM Narendra Modi at his residence and handed him special gifts including ‘Sengols’ amid chanting of ‘mantras’. Modi sought their blessings and also honoured them.

Enhanced security measures have been implemented in Lutyens’ Delhi as preparations are underway for the upcoming inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the elaborate event, which will be attended by numerous distinguished individuals. To ensure a safe environment, the police have issued a traffic advisory stating that the New Delhi district will be considered a controlled zone during this period, leading to restricted entry of vehicles.

The historical sceptre ‘Sengol’ from Tamil Nadu, symbolizing the transfer of power from the British, which was previously received by the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, will find its new home in the upcoming Parliament building. The sceptre, currently housed in a museum in Allahabad, will be prominently placed near the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker in the House chamber. Adheenam seers handed over the Sengol to PM Modi today.