New Delhi, May 28
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday morning officially opened India’s new Parliament House complex with the installation of the historic Sengol that has marked the transfer of power from the British to Indians in 1947.
At that time India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had received the Sengol from Tamil Nadu’s high priests who had earlier received it from the last Governor General Lord Mountbatten.
As in 1947, the receipt of the Sengol by the head of government (PM) was also preceded by chanting of hymns and elaborates rituals by Tamil Nadu’s high priests who are guests at the inauguration.
The PM received the scepter that was given to the ruler under Chola traditions and installed it near the chair of Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla who was accompanying the PM at the time of the installation.
Later, the PM lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the building and the multi-faith prayers were held.
The PM, earlier, also met workers who built the complex defining a resurgent India and honoured them.
After the prayers, the PM is expected to give his remarks later today.
It is 96 years after the colonial-era-Parliament was inaugurated by then Governor-General Lord Irwin on January 18, 1927, that India today got a new Parliament Complex, which has been inaugurated on the 140th anniversary of Hindutva icon Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
Twenty one Opposition parties skipped the event protesting the inauguration by the PM while they had insisted on President Dropuadi Murmu.
Twenty five parties, including 18 ruling NDA constituents are attending.
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