‘Embrace This Symbol From The Past’: Shashi Tharoor Wades Into 'Sengol' Row With Differing Views From Congress

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor differed from his party remarking that the sceptre installed in Lok Sabha reflects a continuity of tradition by embodying sanctified sovereignty and the rule of dharma.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday shared his views of the 'Sengol' row contradicting his party's stance on the matter. Tharoor said that everyone should embrace this symbol from the past to affirm the values of the present. The Congress leader affirmed the argument of the government that 'Sengol' reflects a continuity of tradition and at the same time, he also termed the Opposition's arguments as "righteous" that the Constitution was indeed adopted in the name of the people. His remarks comes hours after the Prime Minister installed 'Sengol' in the new Parliament building.

Tharoor took to Twitter and said, "My own view on the Sengol controversy is that both sides have good arguments. The government rightly argues that the sceptre reflects a continuity of tradition by embodying sanctified sovereignty and the rule of dharma. The Opposition rightly argues that the Constitution was adopted in the name of the people and that sovereignty abides in the people of India as represented in their Parliament. It is not a kingly privilege handed down by divine right.

"The two positions are reconcilable if one simply drops the debatable red herring about the sceptre having been handed to Nehru by Mountbatten to symbolise the transfer of power, a story for which there is no proof. Instead, we should simply say that the 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 and not with any monarch," he opined.

Previously, a row erupted between the Congress and the Modi government after the grand old party's Communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh claimed there is no documented evidence of Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari, and Jawaharlal Nehru describing the 'Sengol' as a symbol of the transfer of power by the British to India. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the grand old party for Ramesh's remarks asking, "Why does the Congress party hate Indian traditions and culture so much?".  On the entertainment front, celebrities made news in Abu Dhabi as they arrived for the 23rd edition of the International Indian Film Academy and Awards (IIFA) at Yas Island.

More On It: Sengol Saga: Claims Of Power Transfer 'Bogus', Says Congress. 'Why Hate Indian Traditions,' Asks Centre