Sengol at new Parliament: ‘Why does Congress hate Indian traditions and culture so much?’ questions Amit Shah
3 min read 26 May 2023, 12:20 PM ISTThe ceremonial sceptre, which was given to Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947 to symbolize the transfer of power from the British to India, will now be installed in the new Parliament building, prominently close to the Speaker's podium.
PremiumUnion Home Minister Amit Shah has hit out at the Congress Party over calling the sacred "Sengol" a "golden stick" and keeping it in a museum. In a series of tweet, Shah has questioned as ‘why the Congress party hate Indian traditions and culture so much?’ and has asked the party to reflect on their behaviour.
In a tweet, Shah wrote, “Why does the Congress party hate Indian traditions and culture so much? A sacred Sengol was given to Pandit Nehru by a holy Saivite Mutt from Tamil Nadu to symbolize India’s freedom but it was banished to a museum as a ‘walking stick’"
Also Read: What is 'Sengol'? Tamil Nadu's historic sceptre finds new home in parliament
In another tweet, “Now, Congress has heaped another shameful insult. The Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a holy Saivite Mutt, itself spoke about the importance of the Sengol at the time of India’s freedom. Congress is calling the Adheenam’s history as BOGUS! Congress needs to reflect on their behaviour."
The ceremonial sceptre, which was given to Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947 to symbolize the transfer of power from the British to India, will now be installed in the new Parliament building, prominently close to the Speaker's podium.
Also Read: New Parliament Building inauguration ceremony in 10 points
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has claimed there is no documented evidence of Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari and Jawaharlal Nehru describing the 'Sengol' as a symbol of transfer of power by the British to India. Ramesh alleged that the Prime Minister and his drum-beaters are using the ceremonial sceptre for their political ends in Tamil Nadu.
The vesting of the "sacred 'Sengol'" with Nehru, on the eve of India's Independence, was the exact moment of transfer of power from the British to India, BJP leader Amit Malviya had said.
On Twitter, Ramesh said, “The sceptre is now being used by the PM (prime minister) and his drum-beaters for their political ends in Tamil Nadu. This is typical of this brigade that embroiders facts to suit its twisted objectives. The real question is why is President Droupadi Murmu not being allowed to inaugurate the new Parliament."
He added that not the Sengol but why President Droupadi Murmu is not being allowed to inaugurate the new Parliament is the real question.
He claimed that a majestic sceptre conceived of by a religious establishment in the Madras province and crafted in Madras city (now Chennai) was indeed presented to Nehru in August 1947.
"There is no documented evidence whatsoever of Mountbatten, Rajaji and Nehru describing this sceptre as a symbol of transfer of British power to India. All claims to this effect are plain and simple -- bodgus," he said.
"Wholly and completely manufactured in the minds of a few and dispersed into WhatsApp, and now to the drum-beaters in the media. Two of the finest Rajaji scholars with impeccable credentials have expressed surprise," the Congress general secretary communications said.
While announcing the boycott, the Opposition parties had said the prime minister's decision to inaugurate it by himself, "completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response".
"Is it any surprise that the new Parliament is being consecrated with typically false narratives from WhatsApp University? The BJP-RSS distorians stand exposed yet again with maximum claims, minimum evidence," Congress general secretary communications Ramesh said in his tweet.
He said the sceptre presented to Nehru was later kept for display at the Allahabad Museum. What Nehru said there on December 14, 1947 is a matter of public record despite whatever labels may say, Ramesh said.
