“…They are opposing Jawaharlal Nehru”: Hardeep Puri slams Opposition over calls of boycotting new Parliament’s inauguration

New Delhi: Slamming the Opposition parties for boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building and questioning the history of ‘Sengol’, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that by doing this Congress party is also opposing former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister on Friday took a jibe at Congress by showing an old issue of Time magazine.
“This is the issue of Time magazine from August 25, 1947. I would like all our friends who are opposing the inauguration of the new Parliament building, to read this article and get some idea about the symbolism of ‘Sengol’ and what happened in 1947. By doing this drama, they (Opposition) are also opposing their own leader Jawaharlal Nehru,” he said.

PM Modi will dedicate the new Parliament building to the country on May 28.

‘Sengol’, which marked the symbol of the transfer of power from the British to India, will be kept as a legacy in the new Parliament building.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a decision to adopt the Sengol as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal. The new building of Parliament will witness the very same event, with Adheenam (Priests) repeating the ceremony and vesting the PM with the Sengol.

The same Sengol from 1947 will be installed by the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha, prominently close to the Speaker’s podium. It will be displayed for the Nation to see and will be taken out on special occasions.

#WATCH | #NewParliamentBuilding: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says, “An article was published in the Time Magazine of America in 1947 and all those who are protesting (against the inauguration of new parliament building) should read this article and gain knowledge about what… pic.twitter.com/BZfmmU8LnU

— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2023

Notably, at least 21 opposition parties have decided to boycott the PM’s decision to preside over the inauguration ceremony instead of President Droupadi Murmu.

The opposition said that the inauguration of the building without President Droupadi Murmu “insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution”.

Meanwhile, amid the boycott call by the opposition, the Centre has received a confirmed list of 25 political parties, including some which are not a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), that will participate in the inauguration ceremony.

Apart from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), several parties in the NDA including AIADMK, Apna Dal, the Republican Party of India, the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, NPP, and NPF have confirmed their attendance for the function on Sunday.

Several neutral parties, including Biju Janata Dal, TDP, and YSRCP will also be present for the inauguration.

Amongst the opposition parties, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bahujan Samajwadi Party and JDS will attend the function on Sunday.