India’s new Parliament: Stage set for historic inauguration on May 28 | India News – Times of India
A day ahead of the historic occasion, the PM described the new building as a “temple of democracy” and wished that it continues to strengthen India’s development trajectory and empower millions.
“Several people are expressing their joy on #MyParliamentMyPride. Through very emotional voice-overs they are conveying a spirit of pride that our nation is getting a new Parliament which will keep working to fulfill people’s aspirations with more vigour,” he said in another tweet.
The inauguration ceremony will begin around 7am with a havan and a multi-religion prayer. The ceremonial sceptre ‘Sengol’ will then be installed near the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker in the new Parliament building.
As many as 25 parties are expected to attend the inauguration even as 21 opposition parties have decided to boycott the event, insisting that President Droupadi Murmu as head of the state should have been the one to do the honours.
Here is all you need to know about the inauguration ceremony and the new Parliament:
We have given Sengol due respect: PM Modi
Addressing the gathering of Adheenams at his residence on Saturday, PM Modi took a swipe at the Congress and said Tamil Nadu was the centre of Indian nationalism in every era and that it was “very unfortunate that the contribution of the Tamil Nadu people in India’s Independence was not given the importance it deserved”.
PM Modi added that it would have been good if the Sengol had been given its due respect after Independence and given an honourable position. “But this Sengol was kept on display as a walking stick in Anand Bhawan, Prayagraj,” he said, adding: “Your ‘sevak’ and our government have brought the Sengol out of Anand Bhawan.”
“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 the PM.
“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 the strength of spirituality that the nation is deriving from your organisations will help us face all challenges,” said PM Modi.
The BJP has alleged that the Sengol was marked as a “walking stick” in the museum due to the negligence and ignorance of the Congress.
Meanwhile, the Congress has claimed there is no documented evidence of Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari or Jawaharlal Nehru describing the ‘Sengol’ as a symbol of transfer of power by the British to India.
Adheenams hand over ‘Sengol’ to PM Modi
Adheenams of Dharmapuram and Thiruvavaduthurai, who arrived in New Delhi on Saturday ahead of the inauguration ceremony on May 28, met PM Modi in the evening and handed over the ‘Sengol’ to him during a ceremony at his residence.
At the inauguration, the Adheenams will assist the PM in establishing the historical and sacred ‘Sengol’ in the Lok Sabha chamber.
The Sengol was presented to PM Modi by the 293rd head priest of Madurai Aadheenam.
Who is coming to the inuaguration?
Besides BJP MPs, ministers and chief ministers, leaders of around 25 parties will be attending the inauguration event.
Apart from the BJP, 18 NDA members will be present for the event. They are Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), National People’s Party, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, Jannayak Janata Party, AIDMK, IMKMK, AJSU, RPI, Mizo National Front, Tamil Maanila Congress, ITFT (Tripura), Bodo People’s Party, Pattali Makkal Kacchi, MGP, Apna Dal and AGP.
The BSP, Shiromani Akali Dal, Janata Dal (Secular), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), YSR Congress, BJD and TDP are the seven non-NDA parties likely to attend the event.
The chief architect of the new parliament building, Bimal Patel and reputed industrialist Ratan Tata whose company TATA has constructed the new building have also been invited to the inauguration of the new building. An invitation has also been sent to certain prominent personalities, including film stars and sports persons.
Who is not coming?
Around 20 Opposition parties have decided to boycott the event.
They are Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), DMK, Janata Dal (United), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Communist Party of India (CPI), Muslim League, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), National Conference, Kerala Congress (M), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and AIMIM.
Earlier this week, the opposition parties had released a joint statement stating that PM Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself and “completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu” was not only a grave insult but a direct “assault on our democracy”.
How will the inauguration ceremony unfold?
PM Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will lead the inauguration ceremony, which will take place in two phases.
A havan and a multi-religion prayer is likely to be held in a pandal (canopy) near the Gandhi statue in Parliament. PM Modi, the Speaker, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Hariwansh and some senior ministers are likely to be part of the ceremony.
After the pujas, the dignitaries will examine the premises and the sceptre ‘Sengol’ will be installed in the Lok Sabha chamber, right next to the Speaker’s chair, after performing some rituals, for which priests from Tamil Nadu, including the original jeweller who designed it, will be present.
A prayer ceremony will also be organised on the premises of the new parliament building.
The morning phase will end around 9.30am after which the second leg of the ceremony is expected to begin at noon.
President’s message to be read out
The second phase of the ceremony will be begin with the singing of the national anthem in the Lok Sabha chamber in the presence of all the dignitaries including PM Modi.
Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Hariwansh will deliver a speech and will then read a written congratulatory message on behalf of Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar.
A written message by President Droupadi Murmu will also be read out on the occasion.
Two short audio-video films will also be showcased, which will talk about the process of construction of the new Parliament building and its significance.
The Lok Sabha Speaker, who is the custodian of the Parliament, will also deliver a speech on the occasion.
A slot has also been kept for the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha to make a speech. However, Mallikarjun Kharge is unlikely to attend the ceremony.
PM Modi will also be releasing a Rs 75 commemorative coin and stamp on the historic occasion and will also be making his speech on the occasion following which the Secretary-General Lok Sabha will deliver the Vote of Thanks to mark the closing of the ceremony.
Commemorative Rs 75 coin
To mark the event, the government will issue a commemorative Rs 75 coin. According to a gazette notification by Department of Economic Affairs under the finance ministry, the weight of this coin could be 34.65-35.35 gram.
One side of the coin will bear the image of Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in the centre flanked by the word ‘Bharat’ in Devnagri script and ‘INDIA’ in English, it said. Rupee symbol ‘₹’ and denominational value ’75’ in international numeral will also be inscribed below the Lion Capital. The other side of the coin shall bear the image of Parliament Complex, and the year ‘2023’ in international numeral below the image.
Why a new Parliament was needed
PM Modi had laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament building on December 10, 2020.
The present Parliament building was completed in 1927, and is now 96 years old. Over the years, the old building was found to be inadequate for present day requirements. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had passed resolutions urging the government to construct a new building for Parliament.
The existing building served as Independent India’s first Parliament and witnessed the adoption of the Constitution.
Originally called the Council House, the building housed the Imperial Legislative Council. The Parliament building witnessed the addition of two floors in 1956 to address the demand for more space. In 2006, the Parliament Museum was added to showcase the 2,500 years of rich democratic heritage of India.
Officials said the present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature and the seating arrangements were cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row.
The Central Hall has seating capacity only for 440 people and the need for more space was acutely felt during joint sittings of both the houses.
The old Parliament building will likely be converted into a museum.
(With inputs from agencies)
