Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the National Emblem atop the new Parliament building’s central foyer on Monday. Although ruling party officials are rejoicing over the occasion, the opposition leaders have slammed it for a multitude of reasons.
New Delhi: The newly inaugurated national Emblem or the Lion Capital, set over the new Parliament building is 6.5 meters tall and constructed of bronze, according to the emblem’s published weight and mass estimate. And apparently, PM Modi offered prayers during the inauguration ceremony that were performed as per Hindu customs.
Soon after the ceremony, several opposition leaders have criticized the ruling government for violating the Constitutional ethos.
According to the leftist CPM, religious events shouldn’t be associated with any celebration of the national interest and urged people to “keep religion apart from national and state ceremony. Sitaram Yechury, the head of the CPM, claimed it was blatantly unconstitutional for the PM to unveil the national emblem atop the new Parliament building.
In a series of tweets, he tried to convey that the President convenes Parliament and PM is the head of the executive. He also added that the head of the administration is undermining this fundamental division of powers between the three wings of the constitution.
Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of AIMIM and a Legislative Council representative from Hyderabad, also disagreed with PM Modi revealing the national anthem. According to him, the Lok Sabha (LS) Speaker represents the LS or parliament and Prime Minister should not have inaugurated the national emblem in his capacity as leader of the government.
On the other hand, some politicians have also taken issue with the opposition members’ exclusion from the gathering. Also, Sandeep Dikshit, a former congressman, grieved for other parties not getting invited to a ceremony that belongs to the whole country.
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen questioned the number of opposition parliamentarians present at the venue and compared the weight of the unveiled insignia with the quantity of BJP leaders’ immodesty.
Another TMC Rajya Sabha MP and former CEO of Prasara Bharati Jawhar Sircar expressed concern over the MPs who would be residing in this complex but were never invited to this grand event.
BJP Leaders Defending Modi’s unveiling of National Emblem
The BJP leaders, however, countered the denouncements by stating that only those individuals who have statutory posts were invited to the event. The party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi also snapped back saying that certain individuals aren’t content until they have the opportunity to interfere with any task.
“The BJP government under the leadership of PM Modi is paving the way for development. But there are some people in this country who feel inconvenient until they get a chance to disturb the work. Congress is a party of the same disturbing attitude.”
–Sudhanshu Trivedi, BJP spokesperson.
According to Nalin Kohli, another BJP spokesman, this event is a source of immense pride for India. But the opposing party has often criticized or attempted to point out inconsequential flaws in a project like the Central Vista and the new Parliament building. Even the museum that PM Modi dedicated to honoring every prime leader from Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru to the present was criticized, which is unquestionably nonpartisan.
Insights on the New Parliament Building
According to officials, there have been eight steps of preparation for the concept drawing and process of casting the national insignia on the top of the new Parliament building,
The Lok Sabha or Lower House chamber under the new structure would have space for 888 members of parliament, whereas the Rajya Sabha or Upper House would have 384 seats for the sessions. During combined proceedings, the Lok Sabha chamber has the option of increasing its total capacity to 1,224 people.
Among other things, it contains a palatial Constitution Hall to highlight India’s democratic and parliamentary legacy, an exquisite lounge for parliamentarians, a library, and several committee rooms. Moreover, spread over nearly 64,500 square meters, the new Capitol building is provided with sufficient parking space and green enclosures.
Read More: Prime Minister Inaugurates National Emblem at New Parliament.
