A recent development surrounding the inauguration of the new Parliament building has attracted attention and sparked controversy. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed, urging the Lok Sabha Secretariat to arrange for President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate the building instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as scheduled. The petitioner based their argument on Article 79 of the Constitution, highlighting the President’s authority to summon and dissolve Parliament, suggesting that she should not be excluded from such a significant event.
However, a vacation bench of the Supreme Court dismissed the PIL, declining to issue any directive in favor of the petitioner’s request. This decision adds to the ongoing discussions and debates surrounding the inauguration ceremony.
In response to the growing opposition’s plans to boycott the event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has appealed to these parties to reconsider their decision. He emphasized the need to avoid politicizing the inauguration, emphasizing that the new Parliament building represents the essence of democracy and holds the aspirations of all Indian citizens. Despite this appeal, opposition parties, including the BSP, TDP, and JD(S), have opposed the boycott announced by 20 opposition parties. BSP chief Mayawati deemed the decision inappropriate, while JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda stated that he will attend the inauguration, emphasizing that the new Parliament building is the property of the country and not affiliated with any specific political party.
In conjunction with the inauguration, the Union Finance Ministry has announced the issuance of a commemorative ₹75 coin. This coin, with a circular shape and a diameter of 44 millimeters, will be composed of a quaternary alloy consisting of 50 percent silver, 40 percent copper, 5 percent nickel, and 5 percent zinc. This move aims to mark the significance of the event and celebrate the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
The opposition’s decision to boycott the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn criticism from CPM’s Brinda Karat. In her statement, she highlighted the centralization of power in the hands of the central government, particularly the Prime Minister, during the last decade of the Modi regime. Karat expressed concerns over the diminishing rights of state governments and the erosion of established mechanisms, such as parliamentary committees, which were designed to ensure scrutiny and consultation on legislation. She also pointed out that the role of the Rajya Sabha has been weakened by categorizing numerous bills as Money Bills, thereby denying the right to vote in the Rajya Sabha where the government holds a tenuous majority. Karat criticized the misuse of parliamentary majority as a means to establish an autocratic style of governance, resembling a presidential form of government, which she sees as a threat to democracy.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed his disappointment over the opposition’s decision to boycott the inauguration. He described it as unfortunate and stressed that the occasion should be celebrated as a festival of democracy by the entire nation. While visiting Gujarat, Jaishankar urged everyone to avoid turning the inauguration into a subject of controversy, emphasizing the need for unity and celebration during such events that hold national significance. (PTI)
The Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, has criticized the BJP government for not inviting President Droupadi Murmu to the forthcoming inauguration of the new Parliament building. The party alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers the new complex as his personal “estate,” assuming it to be his creation. In an editorial published in their mouthpiece ‘Saamana,’ the Shiv Sena (UBT) also questioned whether BJP stalwart L K Advani, who played a significant role in the BJP’s success, has been invited to the event. The party stressed the importance of respecting the position of the President, who serves as the head of the country and the first citizen of India, and criticized what they perceive as.(PTI)
In conjunction with the inauguration, the Union Finance Ministry has announced the release of a commemorative ₹75 coin. This coin, with a circular shape and a diameter of 44 millimeters, will be composed of a quaternary alloy containing 50 percent silver, 40 percent copper, 5 percent nickel, and 5 percent zinc.
CPM’s Brinda Karat expressed her opposition to the boycott of the inauguration by the opposition parties. She criticized the centralization of power within the Modi-led government, highlighting the diminishing rights of state governments and the erosion of mechanisms such as parliamentary committees. Karat claimed that Parliament has become a platform of sycophancy, where critical discussions are met with undignified heckling from the ruling party. She also accused the government of bypassing the Rajya Sabha by categorizing bills as Money Bills to avoid voting in the upper house, leading to an undermining of its role. Karat described the government’s approach as an attempt to establish an autocracy resembling a presidential form of governance.
