New Delhi: The 5-feet-tall scepter or “sengol” moved at the center of a political controversy over the inauguration of the new parliament on Friday, with the Congress questioning the government’s claim that it was used as a symbol of transfer of power. . The moment of India’s independence, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed the criticism, saying that the opposition party disparages Indian culture.
Sengol, a sign of rule in the Tamil kingdoms of yesteryear, was made by jeweler Vummidi Bangaru Chetty of Madras (now Chennai). After this it was displayed in the Allahabad Museum. The government said earlier this week that the scepter made of silver and gold was given to Jawaharlal Nehru as a symbol of the transfer of power from Britain to India on August 14, 1947, following a suggestion by India’s last Governor-General C Rajagopalachari. was handed over. It will be installed near the speaker’s seat in the new parliament on Sunday, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On Friday, the Congress questioned this version of history, saying the scepter was actually crafted in Madras and presented to Nehru in 1947, had no connection with the freedom movement or India’s independence. “[Louis] Mountbatten, Rajaji (C Rajagopachari) and Nehru describe this ghost as a symbol of the transfer of British power in India. All claims to this effect are plain and simple bogus,” the Congress said. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted.
“Why does the Congress party hate Indian traditions and culture so much? A sacred Sengol was given to Pandit Nehru by a holy Shaivite monastery in Tamil Nadu as a symbol of India’s independence, but it was sent to a museum as a stick,” said Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He was referring to the display of ghosts at the Anand Bhawan Museum in Allahabad.
The inauguration ceremony has already been mired in controversy after 21 opposition parties decided to boycott the event, arguing that President Draupadi Murmu should preside over the event and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government and the BJP urged the opposition parties to reconsider their decision, calling it an insult to democracy.
On Friday, Modi said the new Parliament would make every Indian proud, and shared a video of the complex, asking all citizens to clip in with their voiceovers.
Apart from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, seven other parties are participating in the programme.
BJP chief JP Nadda said most of the opposition parties were not practitioners of real democracy.
“What unites most of the parties boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building? The answer is simple – they are dynasty-driven political parties whose monarchical system is contrary to the principles of republicanism and democracy enshrined in our constitution.
He said that the parties have no commitment towards democracy and their only aim is to perpetuate the dynasty. “These dynastic parties, especially the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, are unable to digest the simple fact that the people of India have placed their faith in a person coming from a humble background. The elitist mindset of the dynasties is preventing them from thinking logically.
But the Congress rejected the allegation, saying it was following the Constitution.
“If the principles of the Constitution are not followed, we will not be a part of it. Hence, we are boycotting the event,” said senior leader Pramod Tiwari. “If the Constitution is being murdered and the dignity of Parliament is being questioned, we (Congress) will neither support nor participate in it,” he said.
