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New Parliament inaugurated: PM Modi installs Sengol next to Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair, prayers, ceremonies ahead of landmark moment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Parliament building with an elaborate Sengol ceremony preceded by prayers from all faiths.
PM Modi arrived at the complex at 7:15 am and took part i a puja with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Seers (aadheenams) from Tamil Nadu then handed the PM the Sengol, which is said to have been given to India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru by Viceroy Louis Mountbatten to mark the transfer of power. The PM prostrated before the Sengol before the seers gave it to him. He then proceeded to walk into the new Parliament, holding the Sengol aloft in his hands accompanied by seers who chanted slokas.
PM Modi then installed the Sengol near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair with Om Birla by his side. He then lit a lamp marking the inauguration of the structure.
The Opposition was absent from the solemn festivities since it had boycotted the inauguration, holding that it should be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu and not PM Modi.
With state-of-the-art structure, the new Parliament building is said to meet the needs and standards of the 21st century. It is equipped with the latest technology and is up to the mark in terms of its environmental friendliness and energy efficiency.
The new Parliament can accommodate 888 Lok Sabha MPs and the Rajya Sabha chamber can seat 300. Both Houses of Parliament of 1,280 MPs can be seated in the Lok Sabha chamber.
About the new Parliament building
The new parliament building is spread across 64,500 sq m and is located in the heart of New Delhi, and is made of steel and glass. The building has a state-of-the-art audio-visual system and a conference hall that can accommodate up to 1,000 people.
The new Parliament was designed by a team of architects led by Bimal Patel. The building is inspired by the traditional Indian architectural style. The building’s facade is made of white marble and is adorned with intricate carvings. The interior of the building is decorated with traditional motifs and artwork.
The construction of the new Parliament began in 2020, and was completed in 2023 with an installation cost of Rs 20,000 crore to build.
Significance of the new Parliament building
With the BJP set to end its second term in power, the party aims for re-election with a call to make India a developed nation in the next 25 years by when Independent India will turn 100. PM Modi has christened the period Amrit Kaal. As part of this, the new Parliament symbolises India’s progress and prosperity since 1947. It is a testament to the country’s growing economic and political power. The building is also a symbol of India’s commitment to democracy and its desire to become a leading global power.
It is significant that May 28 is also the birth anniversary of Veer Savarkar, the Hindutva ideologue. Among other projects, the Ayodhya Ram temple is due to be opened for the public early next year when India will elect its next government and send a fresh set of MPs to the new Parliament.
India News
President Droupadi Murmu gives assent to Women’s Reservation Bill
The new law provides 33% reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The Women’s Reservation Bill became law in India after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent, days after the historic vote in the Parliament. The new law provides 33% reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women. However, the law will be imposed after the new census and delimitation.
The Women’s Reservation Bill which is officially known as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in both the houses during the special session of the Parliament. The historic bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on September 20, with 454 MPs voting in its favour and 2 voting against it. In the Rajya Sabha, the bill was passed unanimously on September 21 with 214 MPs voting in favour of the bill.
Issuing a gazette notification, the Government of India stated that the Bill has become an Act after the approval granted by the President. The notification read that the act will come into force on such date as the central government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
While supporting the historic bill in the Parliament, the Opposition condemned the government for not bringing the quota for women into immediate effect. Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Parliament during the bill’s discussion that it could only come into effect after 2029 due to the pending census and delimitation.
A day after the bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that with the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, the nation usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India. He added that this is not merely legislation but a tribute to the countless women who have made the nation. He exclaimed that India has been enriched by their resilience and contributions.
Latest Politics News
Ramesh Bidhuri remarks row: BSP MP Danish Ali writes to PM Modi, calls for suitable punishment
Danish Ali asked PM Modi to make a public statement from his office condemning Bidhuri’s behaviour and reaffirming commitment towards maintaining the highest standards of parliamentary proceedings.
BSP MP Danish Ali who was targeted with derogatory remarks by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri in Lok Sabha, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday seeking suitable punishment for Bidhuri. In the letter, the BSP MP also demanded enhanced security for himself.
He mentioned that the recent incident in the Lok Sabha during the special session of the Parliament was not just an attack on him as an individual but an attack on the very essence of democracy. Expressing grave concern over the incident, Danish Ali called on the Prime Minister as the Leader of the House and asked him to take note of the incident.
The BSP leader underlined that the situation has significantly worsened in the Parliament since September 21 and that it has cast a shadow over the parliamentary decorum and democratic functioning of the esteemed House of which he is privileged to be a member.
Acknowledging that PM Narendra Modi was not present during the incident, BSP MP claimed that Bidhuri used inappropriate language while referring to the Prime Minister during his address. He mentioned that he raised an objection to the use of such language in relation to the Prime Minister even if it was in a quotation.
Danish Ali further added that it was evident from the House proceedings that none of the members of the ruling party objected to his stance against the use of unparliamentary language directed to the Prime Minister. He elaborated that when he pointed out to Bidhuri’s use of unparliamentary language towards the Prime Minister, the BJP MP got rattled and reacted strongly, possibly realising his mistake.
In the letter, Ali also mentioned some of the objectionable and derogatory words that Bidhuri has used against him. In addition, Ali also said that members like BJP MP Nishikant Dubey have gone as far as to disseminate absolute falsehoods against him by claiming that he made certain remarks which provoked Bidhuri when it is clear that those remarks were made by the BJP lawmaker himself during his address.
BSP MP Danish Ali also made a series of demands to PM Modi through his letter. He asked the Prime Minister to make a public statement from his office condemning such behaviour and reaffirming the commitment towards maintaining the highest standards of parliamentary proceedings. Furthermore, he also demanded accountability to be fixed at the earliest on the reprehensible conduct of Bidhuri and called for suitable punishment.
Latest Politics News
Amid AAP-Congress row in Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal says his party is committed to INDIA bloc
Congress Punjab unit accused the AAP government in the state of indulging in political vendetta
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday affirmed that his party is committed to supporting the INDIA Opposition bloc. He stated that his party will not part ways with the INDIA alliance. Kejriwal’s statement follows amidst a standoff between Aam Aadmi party and Congress in Punjab.
The rift between both the political parties erupted after the arrest of Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Thursday. The Punjab Congress leader was arrested from his Sector 5 house in Chandigarh in connection with a 2015 drugs case.
Apparently referring to the fall out, Arvind Kejriwal mentioned that the AAP is committed to the INDIA alliance and that they will not break away from the alliance. He added that they are committed to fulfilling the dharma of the alliance.
Meanwhile, Congress Punjab unit accused the AAP government in the state of indulging in political vendetta after the arrest of their leader. However, the AAP in Punjab has denied the allegation, mentioning that the action against the Bholath legislator was taken according to the law.
On being asked about no announcement on the seat sharing formula in the INDIA alliance, Arvind Kejriwal remarked that he hopes that it would be ready soon. Speaking about the opposition INDIA alliance not projecting a prime ministerial candidate yet, Arvind Kejriwal said that his aim is to empower every citizen and create a system where all 1.4 billion people of this country feel like they are the prime minister. He added that they need to empower the people and they don’t need to empower any one individual.
On being questioned about the drug menace, Arvind Kejriwal noted that yesterday he heard that the Punjab Police arrested a particular leader, Sukhpal Singh Khaira in connection with drugs but he doesn’t have the details regarding the matter. Nonetheless, he mentioned that the Bhagwant Mann government and the AAP government are committed to ending the drug menace and that nobody will be spared.
