The prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, seen in the picture with Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla after installing a ‘Sengol’ at the Lok Sabha chamber during the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building on Sunday, 28th May 2023.
On Thursday, amidst an ongoing politics controversy started by Samajwadi Party (SP) MP R.K. Chaudhary’s calling it as a sign of monarchy, ‘Sengol’ took its pride of place in parliament.
“The symbol of democracy is our constitution. The Sengol was installed in parliament by the BJP government under PM Modi. The word ‘Sengol’ means ‘Raj-Dand’ or ‘Raja ka Danda’. After ending princely order this country became independent. Will this country be run by ‘Raja ka danda’ or Constitution? To save the constitution I demand that Sengol should be removed from Parliament,” said Mr. Chaudhary.
BJP leader C.R. Kesavan described Mr. Choudhary’s remarks as scandalous and bizarre.
“Scandalous and bizarre are R.K.Chaudhary’s remarks; he affronted millions of devotees by his comments; they also debased sanctity of the parliament; denigrated office of President too but then what can you expect much more from a member belonging to samajwadi party?” He asked.
Union Minister Anupriya Patel asked where were SP MPs when Sengol was being established in House?
“What were its members doing at that time when sengol was set up even while Samajwadi Party was still there inside?” She said.
Union Minister B.L.Verma argued for SP leaders to look into constitution and parliamentary traditions.
“Before speaking Samajwadis should firstly know these parliamentary traditions and MPs talking about removing a symbol of self-respect somewhere. Therefore, that means they have to in some way look at the constitution and parliamentary traditions,” he said.
RJD MP Misa Bharti says Sengol should be removed because it is a democracy.
“It is a democracy; therefore, it must be taken away. The museum is where it belongs and people can come to see it,” Bharti said.
Meanwhile, SP chief, Akhilesh Yadav came out in defence of Choudhary insinuating that the comment could serve as a reminder to PM.
“When the Sengol was installed, the Prime Minister bowed down before it. Maybe he forgot this when he was taking oaths. It could be that our MP’s statement was meant to remind him of this,” Mr. Yadav added.
On May 28th 2023, PM Narendra Modi installed Sengol – a historical relic – at Lok Sabha chamber situated next to Speaker’s chair in the new Parliament building following a customary puja. In fact, this particular sengol given by Adheenams was handed over first by India’s inaugural prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru during August 14th night in 1947.
