In his remarks at the new Parliament's opening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the spectacular structure, which was built in a record-breaking 30 months and defied the epidemic, "will witness the sunrise of a self-reliant India."
“This new building will see the fulfilment of the resolutions of a developed India. This new building is also an ideal for the coexistence of the new and the old,” he said. Modi elevated the building of the new Parliament to the level of national renewal that would be a source of inspiration for other nations and a force for global good at the inauguration ceremony, which was held against the backdrop of opposition protests and a simmering controversy over the installation of the "sengol," a symbol of ethical and fair governance associated with Shaivite traditions of Tamil Nadu.
He stated it was time for India to regain its old glory which declined under foreign control. He noted that the nation had once been affluent. “The new India of the 21st century is full of high spirits and is now leaving behind that thinking of slavery. Today, India is turning once again to that glorious stream of ancient times.”
Opposition boycotts the function
Staying away from the opening of new Parliament building along with like-minded parties, Congress termed the exclusion of President Droupadi Murmu from the ceremony as a “black day” for democracy, and blamed it on the “anti-backward class, anti-tribal” mindset of RSS. Congress mocked the function presided over “by a self-glorifying PM” Narendra Modi as a “coronation”, and pointed to the police attack on protesting women wrestlers at a stone’s throw from the inauguration venue as the fate of “people” under a “monarch”.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “The right to inaugurate the new Parliament was snatched from the President. Women players were beaten up on the streets with dictatorial force. The three lies of BJP-RSS rulers - democracy, nationalism and save daughter - now stand exposed before the country. Remember Modi-ji, democracy is not just about buildings, but it functions with the voice of the people.”
At least 21 opposition parties boycotted the event, which coincided with the birth anniversary of a Hindu nationalist ideologue V D Savarkar.
PM fulfilled long-pending demand: speaker
Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh, in their addresses at the inauguration said PM Modi had fulfilled a long pending demand of parliamentarians for a new building. "I once again express my gratitude to the prime minister that respecting the sentiments of the members, he immediately accepted their request and also made it a reality in such a short time,” he added.
Modi is people’s pick: Prez
President Droupadi Murmu in her message said that the PM, as the popular representative of the people of India, was the appropriate choice to lead the opening ceremony despite several opposition parties boycotting the inauguration over the exclusion of the President from the event.
