Parliament inauguration highlights: New building a ‘shining example’ of country's vision, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, inaugurated the country's new Parliament building on Sunday morning.

'Sengol', a historic sceptre, was installed next to the Speaker's chair by PM Modi after performing the necessary rituals. The installation ceremony was attended by 'Adheenams' from Tamil Nadu. PM Modi was seen bowing to the Sengol and seeking blessings from these priests from southern India.

During the inaugural address, given by the dignitaries, messages from President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar were sent and read out by Deputy Rajya Sabha Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh.

The new Parliament building is located at the heart of the Central Vista at Sansad Marg, Gokul Nagar in New Delhi and adjacent to the old Parliament building. 

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Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar shared a glimpse of the new Parliament building on Saturday extending their wishes for the inauguration ceremony and said it will contribute towards a "new India" and become a symbol of the country's growth story.

“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,” Shah Rukh wrote on Twitter.

“Proud to see this glorious new building of the Parliament. May this forever be an iconic symbol of India’s growth story. #MyParliamentMyPride” Akshay Kumar tweeted.

A ‘Sarva Dharma Prarthana’ (inter-faith prayer) was perfomed at the new Parliament buidling's inauguration ceremony on Sunday during which the religious leaders chanted prayers in various languages.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, union ministers and chief ministers of several states were among those who participated in this multi-faith prayer ceremony held at the new Parliament House.

• NCP chief Sharad Pawar: “I saw the event in the morning. I am happy I didn't go there. I am worried after seeing whatever happened there.” He pointed out the rituals performed during the inauguration ceremony and said “I fear that we are taking our country backward by decades.”
• Congress leader and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot: “The 20 parties that hold importance in democracy had to boycott (new Parliament inauguration) under compulsion. So from this, you can understand what message would have been sent to the country and the world. People will not accept this. There will be trouble for the party (BJP) & PM in the coming times.”
• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi: “Parliament is the voice of the people! The Prime Minister is considering the inauguration of the Parliament House as a coronation.”

Almost 20 Opposition parties announced their boycott of the new Parliament building's inauguration after the ruling BJP sent an invitation for the ceremony. They raised questions about why the prime minister should inaugurate the new Parliament instead of the president.

In the inaugural ceremony of the new Parliament building, PM Modi said the Sengol in 1947 symbolised of “transfer of power” under the guidance of Rajaji and the Adheenams.

"Recently, a lot of information related to its (Sengol's) history has come out in the media. I don't want to go into detail. But, I believe it is our good fortune that we have been able to restore the dignity of the sacred Sengol. Whenever proceedings begin in this Parliament House, Sengol will continue to inspire us all," Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, several Union ministers, and MPs paid floral tributes to Hindutva icon VD Savarkar on his birth anniversary in the Central Hall of the old Parliament building.

“Veer Savarkar's personality consisted of firmness and magnanimity. His fearless and self-respecting nature did not like the mentality of slavery at all. A few days later, on June 4, is the birth anniversary of Saint Kabirdas ji. The path shown to us by Kabirdas ji is equally relevant even today,” Modi said

The historic sceptre which has its connection to the “Chola empire” was installed right next to the Speaker's chair in the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after performing puja on Sunday morning.

Modi was handed over the historic 'Sengol' by high priests of various adheenams or maths in Tamil Nadu before its instalment in the new building.

Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the inauguration of the new Parliament building is “the starting point of the country's journey towards excellence in every field.”

"PM @narendramodi Ji dedicated the new Parliament to the nation. The edifice is not only the place where people's aspirations will bloom to fruition but is also the marker of the beginning of India's journey towards excellence in every field in the Amrit Kaal," Shah tweeted with the hashtag #MyParliamentMyPride.

In his inaugural address in the new Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the building should be “a shining example of the country's vision and resolve of New India.”

PM Modi said about the digital gallery created in the new complex to honour the hard work of over 60,000 labourers wo were part of the construction.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the new Parliament building to the nation by unveiling the plaque marking the inauguration.
• Modi also felicitated the construction workers with traditional shawls and handed over mementoes.
• 'Sarv-dharma' prayers were performed at the new Parliament building, with priests from different religions reciting the traditional verses.
• Earlier, Modi installed the sacred 'Sengol' in the new Lok Sabha chamber, right next to the Speaker's chair, after performing puja.

“Delighted to see Sengol being recognized at the inauguration of the new building of the Indian Parliament. Its august presence illustrates how heritage and progress merge beautifully, giving us added inspiration to fulfil people’s aspirations,” PM Modi said in his tweet.

“A privilege to witness a moment of history-the inauguration of India’s new Parliament by PM @narendramodi. This is a statement of #Atmanirbharbharat, of our traditions and achievements as much as of our aspirations. Our democratic heritage, practices and values are a key aspect of our foreign policy. Confident that this new Parliament will be a vibrant forum for greater international exchanges”, the minister tweeted.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said that he was not happy to see the inauguration of the new Parliament building, ANI reported.

"What is happening there is exactly the reverse of what Pt Nehru who had a concept to make a society based on modern science. It's the government's responsibility to invite President and Vice president. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla was present, but Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, the head of Rajya Sabha, wasn't there. Therefore the whole event looks like it was for a limited people ...," he said.

President Droupadi President Droupadi Murmu and vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday sent their warm wishes on the occasion of new Parliament building inauguration and their messages were read out by Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh during the ceremony.

“The new Parliament building will be a testament to the dawn of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). It will be a witness to our journey towards a Viksit Bharat (developed India),” Modi said

The Left parties on Sunday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, over the new Parliament buidling inauguration and compared the event to ‘coronation of monarch’.

Around 20 opposition parties decided to boycott the event over the prime minister and not the president inaugurating the building.

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury alleged that the inauguration ceremony was held amid "loud propaganda" with the declaration of a "new India".

"This declaration of a 'New India' comes in the absence of the President of India, Vice President of India and opposition parties! India = Nation and Citizen; New India = Raja and Praja," Yechury said in his tweet.

In the Parliament building inauguration ceremony, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the country is witnessing a “historical event”. He further said,

• "I would like to congratulate the Prime Minister whose dedication and guidance, this Parliament got built in less than 2.5 years."
• “I would also like to thank all those who worked for the Parliament. The construction workers stayed committed even during the tough Covid phase”

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday took a stand on ‘Sengol’ that differed from his party's as he said, “My own view on the Sengol controversy is that both sides have good arguments. The government rightly argues that the sceptre reflects a continuity of tradition by embodying sanctified sovereignty and the rule of dharma. The Opposition rightly argues that the Constitution was adopted in the name of the people and that sovereignty abides in the people of India as represented in their Parliament. It is not a kingly privilege handed down by divine right.”

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday welcomed the inauguration of the new Parliament building and said it marks “matter of pride and immense happiness for th entire nation.” 

"In the Chola empire, it (Sengol) was considered a symbol of the Kartavya path (path of duty), Seva Path (path of service) and Rashtra path (path of the nation)," PM Modi said in his first speech in the new Parliament.

Sengol, a historic sceptre was installed by the prime minister next to Speaker's chair in Lok Sabha after inaugurating the new Parliament building.

PM Modi installed the sacred 'Sengol' in the new Lok Sabha chamber, right next to the Speaker's chair, after performing puja. 

"It is our good fortune that we have been able to restore the pride of the holy 'Sengol'. Whenever proceedings start in this House the 'Sengol' will inspire us," PM Modi said. 

PM Modi was handed over the historic 'Sengol' by Adheenams before it was installed in the new building. The Sengol marked the transfer of power from the British to Indians in 1947.