Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday voiced apprehension about the traditional customs observed during the unveiling of the new Parliament structure. He remarked that, by doing so, "we are regressing as a nation" and deviating from the scientific mentality that India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had envisioned for the country. Pawar indicated that the inauguration ceremony contradicted Nehru's vision, news agency ANI reported.
This morning, the new Parliament building was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a splendid celebration that involved various religious ceremonies including a havan and a multi-faith prayer. During a momentous occasion, the Lok Sabha chamber witnessed the placement of the 'Sengol' sceptre, a symbol of royalty during ancient Tamil kingdoms, in a special spot.
Pawar's NCP was one of the numerous opposition parties that didn't attend the event in the capital city. Their primary objection was towards the prime minister presiding over the ceremony rather than the President of India.
Speaking with media, NCP chief stated: “I saw the event in the morning. I am happy I didn't go there. I am worried after seeing whatever happened there."
"We have a special connection with the old parliament and not just being the member of it...Nothing was discussed about this new building with us ...it would have been better if everyone was involved in that...," Pawar stated.
The lack of attendance from President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar during the ceremony was questioned by Pawar.
“It's the government's responsibility to invite President and Vice president. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla was present, but Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, the head of Rajya Sabha, wasn't there. Therefore the whole event looks like it was for a limited number of people,” he said.
The inauguration ceremony was also referred to as an "incomplete event" by Supriya Sule, who is a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
"To open a new Parliament building without Opposition makes it an incomplete event. It means there is no democracy in the country," Sule stated.