New Parliament: Congress draws Nehru’s democracy vs Savarkar’s Gandhi death roles

Ramesh went on to call PM Modi “a self-absorbed dictatorial PM”

| Updated: 28 May, 2023 10:38 am IST
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has called PM Modi a 'dictator PM'

Congress has questioned the Modi government’s choice of date for the inauguration of the new parliament building, saying it marks the death of first PM Jawaharlal Nehru and the birth of VD Savarkar to allege the downfall of democracy in India under the BJP regime.

In a controversial tweet, Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said while Nehru’s life was focused on strengthening democratic values and institutions, Savarkar prepared the groundwork leading to assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

“Today 28 May: 1. Nehru, who did the most to strengthen parliamentary democracy in India, was cremated in 1964. 2. Savarkar, whose ideology created the atmosphere that led to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, was born in 1883,” tweeted Ramesh, who is in-charge of the party’ communication team.

Congress and other Opposition parties have criticized the government arguing that as per the Constitution, President Droupadi Murmu, not PM Modi, should have inaugurated the new Parliament house. “The President, who is the first tribal to hold this position, is not being allowed to perform her constitutional duties. She was not allowed to inaugurate the new Parliament House,” he wrote.

Ramesh went on to call PM Modi “a self-absorbed dictatorial prime minister who hates parliamentary procedures and rarely attends parliament or takes part in proceedings”.

The new Parliament building, designed to accommodate more members, is part of the government’s plan to revamp New Delhi’s historical heart, known as the Central Vista. However, the timing of the inauguration on Savarkar’s birth anniversary has sparked further debate. The Congress party and some opposition parties consider Savarkar a divisive figure from India’s pre-Independence history. The Congress had previously opposed the installation of Savarkar’s portrait in the current Parliament building’s Central Hall.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the day of the inauguration, received the historical scepter ‘Sengol’ from the Chola dynasty which symbolizes the transfer of power.

On Saturday, PM Modi took a dig at the Congress party, criticising their treatment of the revered ‘Sengol,’ referring to it being displayed at a museum in Prayagraj as the “walking stick” of Nehru.

On Sunday morning, PM Modi – flanked by top Hindu seers – commenced the grand inauguration by performing puja and havan near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the parliament premises. He then placed ‘Sengol’ near the Speaker’s chair in the Lok Sabha chamber.

Before the official unveiling, PM Modi participated in an early morning puja along with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking blessings for the momentous occasion. The prime minister also took the opportunity to honor the dedicated workers who contributed to the construction of the remarkable structure.

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