New Delhi: The political conflict over the inauguration of the new Parliament intensified after Congress claimed there was no documented evidence of Lord Mountbatten, C. Rajagopalachari and Jawaharlal Nehru describing the ‘Sengol’ (golden sceptre) as a symbol of the transfer of power by the British to India.
A row erupted after Home Minister Amit Shah said on May 24 that the ‘Sengol’, a symbol of fair governance, will be installed in the new Parliament building. Taking to Twitter, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed the ruling party’s claims of ‘Sengol’ being a symbol of the transfer of power as ‘bogus’.
Reacting sharply to Ramesh’s comment, Shah said the Congress was reducing the ‘Sengol’ to a mere ‘walking stick’. “Why Congress hates Indian traditions and culture so much,” he asked. However, Ramesh maintained the claims are “wholly and completely manufactured in the minds of a few and dispersed into WhatsApp, and now to the drum-beaters in the media.”
He alleged “the sceptre is now being used by the PM and his drum-beaters for their political ends in Tamil Nadu. This is typical of this brigade that embroiders facts to suit its twisted objectives.” Meanwhile, 20 Opposition parties including Congress have decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on May 28 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it should be done by President Droupadi Murmu. Ramesh said the Government is running away from the real question of why is President not being allowed to inaugurate the new Parliament building.