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PremiumNew Parliament building: The inauguration ceremony of India's new Parliament building has kicked off today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla have arrived at the new Parliament building and they were seen attending the puja and havan. PM Modi has installed the historic ‘Sengol’ near the Lok Sabha's speaker's chair.
The morning phase will end at close to 9:30 am after which the second leg of the ceremony is expected to begin at noon with the singing of the national anthem in the Lok Sabha chamber in the presence of all the dignitaries including PM Modi.
Catch all the LIVE updates on New Parliament Inauguration here.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi comparing the inauguration of the new Parliament building by him with the 'coronation of a monarch'.
Sitaram Yechury further said that today's function was the coronation of PM Modi as India's ruler.
"What was done today in this function was actually the coronation of Modi as India's ruler. What is sort to be established is that the new India, that Modi is talking about, is an India that will be governed by the principle of the ruler and the subject, that is 'Raja' and 'Praja'," said Sitaram Yechuri
Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram took a jibe at the inauguration of the new Parliament House by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and termed it PM's "personal project".
"The inauguration of the new Parliament House is a personal project of the PM," Chidambaram said.
Artworks on display in the new Parliament building, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, narrate the stories of India's democratic traditions from the Vedic period to the present day.
The growth of democracy in the country is depicted through a series of exhibits in the Constitution Hall on the new Parliament building, which itself is inspired by the Sri Yantra, used for worship in the Hindu traditions and considered a source of pure energy.
The Constitution Hall, which has a digitised copy of the Indian Constitution, has a touch of modernity as it also houses a Foucault's Pendulum to demonstrate the rotation of the earth.
The Congress on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he inaugurated the new Parliament building, saying a "self-glorifying authoritarian PM with utter disdain for Parliamentary procedures" opened the new complex.
"Event will be written in golden words, " says Union Minister Arjun Munda while hailing new Parliament Building
Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday said the new Parliament building will help create political consensus and serve as a symbol of freedom from the mindset of slavery.
In his message at the inauguration of the new Parliament building, he also hoped it will find solutions to the aspirations of the people of India.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday congratulated the people of India on the inauguration of the new Parliament building and said it is the starting point of the country's journey towards excellence in every field.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh on Sunday called the inauguration of the new Parliament building a historic and unforgettable moment, asserting the building was not merely a structure of brick and mortar, but a means of fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of India.
Welcoming those present at the new Parliament House, which he said was a "shraddha sthal" (place of worship) of Indian democracy, Harivansh expressed his hope that the new house will be privy to several landmark decisions.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury boycotted Sunday's new Parliament building inaugural event despite receiving invitation from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led India Government.
He decided not to attend today's ceremony despite being invited as a guest to sit along with the Prime Minister keeping his view his position as the leader of the largest Opposition party in Parliament, ANI quoted people familiar with the development.
Congress was among the 21 political parties who had earlier announced the boycott of the inauguration accusing the government of "sidelining" President Droupadi Murmu.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday said that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra will not ban movies of Shah Rukh Khan now that the actor has expressed happiness over the inauguration of the new Parliament building. Earlier in the day, the actor posted a tweet with a video of his voice over expressing happiness over the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “What a magnificent new home for the people who uphold our Constitution, represent every citizen of this great Nation and protect the diversity of her one People @narendramodi ji. A new Parliament building for a New India but with the age-old dream of Glory for India. Jai Hind! #MyParliamentMyPride," Khan tweeted.
BJP Leader Navneet Rana took a swipe at Opposition parties for criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rana said, "PM Modi did what they (the opposition) couldn't and this is what giving them pain in the stomach".
On the inauguration of the new Parliament, Lok Sabha MP Varun Gandhi clicked a selfie with mother Maneka Gandhi inside the premises.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday condemned the detention of wrestlers. "Strongly condemn the way Delhi Police manhandled Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and other wrestlers. It’s shameful our champions are treated in this manner. Democracy lies in tolerance but autocratic forces thrive on intolerance and quelling of dissent. I demand they be immediately released by the police. I stand by our wrestlers".
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra said that the first day of the parliament session after independence should have been like this. He compared the new parliament building with that of the ancestors of valiant personalities like Shivaji, Chandragupta, and Maharana Pratap.
"Now it seems like it is the parliament house of the ancestors of Shivaji, Chandragupta Maurya, Maharana Pratap," he added.
Scores of farmers led by BKU leader Rakesh Tikait were on Sunday stopped by the Delhi Police at the Ghazipur border as they tried to enter the national capital to take part in a protest called by agitating wrestlers outside the new Parliament building.
"All others (farmers) have been stopped (by the police). We will sit here for now and decide what to do next," Tikait said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi installed the royal Sengol at the Lok Sabha chmaber on Sunday and wrote, “Delighted to see Sengol being recognized at the inauguration of the new building of the Indian Parliament. Its august presence illustrates how heritage and progress merge beautifully, giving us added inspiration to fulfil people’s aspirations".
Indian police detained on Sunday several wrestlers including Olympic medallists Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik as well as dozens of their supporters as they attempted to march to the new parliament.
Delhi police removed tents of protesting wrestlers in Jantar Mantar. The cops also detained wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's new parliament building on Sunday.
"This new complex will be evidence of self-reliant India," PM Modi said in an address. Modi on Twitter said the new parliament is "truly a beacon of our democracy". The old parliament will be converted into a museum.
On the opening day of the new Parliament of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India has left behind the colonial mindset today".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi siad that India is the mother of democracy. It is also the foundation of global democracy. Democracy is our 'Sanskaar', idea and tradition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases a stamp and ₹75 coin in the new Parliament.
"Some moments in developmental journey of a nation get immortalised, today is one such day," PM Modi said on new Parliament building
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a thunderous welcome as he entered the new Lok Sabha.
Two-time commonwealth gold medallist Vinesh Phogat was detained by the Delhi Police as she and her supporters started marching towards the parliament to level up their protest against the Wrestling Federation of India Chief Brij Bhushan. On Sunday Khap Panchayats called for a Mahila maha panchayat in support of wrestlers who have been protesting against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP accusing him of sexual harassment.
Delhi Police barricaded all the borders of the national capital to prevent any protest or gathering.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh addressed the guests in the new Parliament on Sunday. Harivansh said, "It is a matter of immense happiness that a new modern Parliament was constructed in less than 2.5 years under the leadership of PM Modi".
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament. Gandhi in Hindi wrote, "Parliament is the voice of the people! The Prime Minister is considering the inauguration of the Parliament as a coronation".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the new Lok Sabha. The second phase of the inauguration begins with National Anthem.
Members of Parliament, CMs of different States, and other dignitaries are present on this historic occasion.
Vummidi Ethiraj, 97, the maker of Sengol called installation of the sacred sceptre a ‘very moment’.
On the opening day of India's new Parliament, protesting wrestlers jumped over the police barricading at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Security personnel stopped and detained protesting wrestlers as they tried to march towards the new Parliament from Jantar Mantar.
“It was a historical moment when PM Modi installed the 'Sengol' in the new Parliament building today. The 'Sengol' was made by our family 75 years ago," Vummidi Sudhakar, the chairman of Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers said.
Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he dedicated the new Parliament building to the nation for glorifying the long civilizational evolution of 'Bharath' and reflecting her vision of 'Vishwa Guru'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed VD Savarkar in the 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast. PM Modi said, "Savarkar's personality was one of strength, and magnanimity; his fearless and self-respecting nature couldn't tolerate slavery".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, several cabinet ministers, and MPs paid floral tributes to VD Savarkar in the Central Hall of the old Parliament building on his birth anniversary.
Prime Minister Modi paid floral tributes to Savarkar's portrait in the Central Hall after inaugurating the new Parliament building.
Wrestler Sakshi Malik has taken a dig at the Central government after police detained protestors, who on Sunday planned to take a march towards the new Parliament, demanding the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan. Security personnel have been deployed across Delhi borders and around the New Delhi district to avoid any demonstrations during the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament.
Against this backdrop, wrestler Malik highlighted the irony of the Indian democracy. She tweeted, “To all my international fraternity…Our Prime Minister is inaugurating our new parliament…But on the other hand, Our supporters have been arrested for supporting us".
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday slammed the RJD party for calling the new Parliament a coffin. Owaisi said, "RJD has no stand, the old Parliament building did not even have clearance from Delhi Fire Service. Why are they (RJD) calling the Parliament a coffin? They could have said anything else, why do they need to bring this angle?"
Further Owaisi maintained on his previous statement that Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla should have inaugurated the new parliament minister Modi.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday wrote a note on 'Senogol controversy'. Tharoor wrote, "Sengol sceptre is a traditional symbol of power and authority, and by placing it in the Lok Sabha, India is affirming that sovereignty resides there & not with any monarch.
Let us embrace this symbol from the past to affirm the values of our present".
After the phase-1 inauguration of the new Parliament building, PM Modi on Sunday tweeted, “As the new building of India’s Parliament is inaugurated, our hearts and minds are filled with pride, hope and promise. May this iconic building be a cradle of empowerment, igniting dreams and nurturing them into reality. May it propel our great nation to new heights of progress".
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party has posted a controversial tweet on the new Parliament. The RJD party has compared the new India Parliament with a coffin.
"The coffin in our tweet is a representation of democracy being buried. The country will not accept this. Parliament is the temple of democracy and it is the place to have discussions," RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav said.
Following this, former Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi slammed the RJD party and said, "A case of treason should be registered against such people who have compared the new Parliament building with a coffin".
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon Ltd, hailed Prime Minister Modi for dedicating the new Parliament to the nation. Shaw wrote, "PM Unveils New Parliament / It was historic pride for every Indian. Truly the befitting abode of the world’s largest democracy".
National Congress Party (NCP) leader and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule took a fresh jibe at PM Modi-led central government regarding the inauguration of the new Parliament.
Sule said, "To open a new Parliament building without the Opposition makes it an incomplete event. It means there is no democracy in the country".
"Mahapanchayat will certainly be held today. We're fighting for our self-respect," Wrestler Bajranj Punia affirmed. The protesting wrestlers are planning to stage a protest in front of the new Parliament building today. However, cops have tightened security in and around the new Delhi district as well as on all borders of the national capital. "They're inaugurating the new Parliament building today, but murdering democracy in the country. We appeal to the administration to release our people detained by police," Punia said.
Thousands of Khap panchayat members have come out in support of agitated wrestlers who are demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brish Bhushan who, they alleged, sexually harassed several women grapplers.
Following this Delhi Police have put up barricades near ITO road, the Tikri border, and the Singhu border area.
"We have deployed male and female companies at Delhi-Haryana border points to ensure unsocial elements are stopped from entering Delhi. Sonipat East Zone Police has not detained anyone so far. We will not allow people to enter Delhi if their motive is to disrupt the inauguration of the new Parliament House, our intelligence team is identifying such people," Gaurav Rajpurohit, DCP, Sonipat East said.
The historic sceptre 'Sengol' was received by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1947, to represent the symbol of the transfer of power from the Britishers to India. Sengol is silver & gold plated. The word Sengol is derived from the Tamil word 'Semmai', meaning 'Righteousness'. This 5-feet long sceptre was installed by PM Modi near the Lok Sabha's speaker chair on Sunday.
The Congress Party launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he inaugurated the new Parliament building. The opposition party called the Prime Minister, "self-glorifying authoritarian PM with utter disdain for parliamentary procedures".
Architect: The new Parliament is designed by Bimal Patel
Founding date: PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament building on 10 December 2020.
Cost: The building, which was built at a cost of ₹971 crore.
Employment generated: 23,04,095 (in man-days)
Features: The new Parliament building will enable 888 members to sit in the Lok Sabha. In the present building of the Parliament, there is a provision for the sitting of 543 Members in the Lok Sabha and 250 in the Rajya Sabha.
Material used in the new Parliament building:
The fly ash bricks used in the construction were sourced from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The new parliament building used manufactured sand or M-sand from Charkhi Dadri in Haryana for creating concrete mix for the construction activities.
The teakwood used in the building was sourced from Nagpur, Maharashtra.
Red and white sandstone was procured from Sarmathura in Rajasthan.
White marble has been sourced from Ambaji in Rajasthan.
The steel structure for the false ceilings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha chambers have been sourced from the union territory of Daman and Diu.
Furniture is crafted in Mumbai.
The materials for the Ashoka Emblem were sourced from Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Jaipur in Rajasthan, while the Ashok Chakra donning the massive walls of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha chambers and the exteriors of the parliament building were procured from Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
As PM Modi inaugurates new parliament building today, the Delhi Metro has decided to shut all entry exit gates of Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations. However, interchange facilities are available at Central Secretariat.
Delhi Police have increased the security in the national capital as Khap panchayat members are set to join the wrestlers' protest towards the newly-built Parliament building today.
A Khap Panchayat has called for a 'Mahila mahapanchayat' in support of wrestlers who have been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP MP accusing him of sexual harassment.
Vummidi Ethirajulu the maker of Sengol attended the inauguration of the new parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has installed the sacred 'Sengol' in the Lok Sabha chamber, right next to the Speaker's chair in the new Parliament building today. The Sengol was built and designed with the collective effort of 'Adheenams' (priests from Shaivite mutts in Tamil Nadu) and Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers. It is a golden sceptre adorned with a 'nandi' (bull) on top. Vummidi Ethirajulu, 97, designed the Sengol.
PM Modi decided to adopt Sengol as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal.
This is the same Sengol that was accepted by the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru at his residence on the night of August 14, in the presence of several leaders.
