The Opposition slammed the inauguration of the new Parliament building in New Delhi on Sunday. A total 20 opposition parties had boycotted the proceedings since they said the inauguration should be done by President Droupadi Murmu and not by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted the Parliament is the voice of the people but the Prime Minister seems to think the inauguration of the Parliament building is some coronation ceremony. Gandhi was attempting to draw a parallel with the Central government’s attaching too great a significance to the Sengol and to the sceptre held by King Charles III after he was crowned.

The Congress drew attention to the fact that the inauguration fell on the birth anniversary of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted that on May 28, 1964, Jawaharlal Nehru, the person who did the most to nurture parliamentary democracy in India, was cremated. On the same day in 1883, he noted, Savarkar was born.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said he was glad he was very glad that he did witness the event in person. The NCP chief expressed worry and concern if the current government wants to take the country backward. He also wondered if the event was for a select few from the ruling party and its allies, referring to the lack of diversity in the crowd.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Constitution guarantees equality for all but on Sunday, the government wanted to go back to medieval times. The undue deference to seers from Tamil Nadu coupled with the event being attended only by a chosen few, reeked of attempts to re-establish older orders of power, Yechury said.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal social media handle put out a tweet showing the new Parliment’s photo next to that of a coffin, leaving it to the reader to deduce that the RJD was referring to a murder of democracy. BJP leaders criticised the jibe, saying it’s an insult to democracy.

In a heartwarming gesture, Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar shared their voice-overs for a video showcasing the new Parliament building in response to a special request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The video, which was initially shared by PM Modi himself, gained positive reviews as various celebrities and political leaders, including Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar, shared their views.

Shah Rukh Khan, known for his charismatic personality, expressed his thoughts on the new Parliament building, referring to it as a “new home for the people who uphold our Constitution.” Followed by words from his film Swades, his voice-over resonated with the spirit of unity and inclusion, stating, “May this new home be so big that it has a place for everyone from every village, city, and every corner of the country. May the arms of the new home embrace people from all castes, creeds, and religions.” PM Modi, appreciating the sentiment, quote tweeted it, saying, “Beautifully expressed!”

Similarly, Akshay Kumar, an actor known for his patriotic roles, defined the new Parliament building as an “iconic symbol of India’s growth story.” In his voice-over, he combined captivating visuals, denoting the reflection of a new Parliament building as India’s rich heritage. PM Modi agreed with Kumar’s sentiments, emphasizing the building’s significance in representing India’s progress.

The prime minister retweeted these videos just a few hours before the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building on Sunday. 

Among the many voices adding their unique perspectives to the video, PM Modi also acknowledged actor Anupam Kher’s contribution. Kher’s poetic tribute to the new Parliament building praised it as a testament to democracy and remarked, “This is the feeling expressed in your poem, which is going to strengthen the faith of people in the temple of democracy.” 

Overall, the share of voice-overs between Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar for the new Parliament building video connects with the sentiments of the Indian people, however, PM Modi’s further appreciation strengthens the significance of this unique initiative.

The collective participation of celebrities and political figures in lending their voices to the video not only demonstrates their support for the new Parliament building but also showcases the unity and pride shared by Indians.

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.