Parliament row reaches Supreme Court: Plea seeks inauguration by President

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 25, 2023: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, requesting the Lok Sabha Secretariat to ensure that the new Parliament building is inaugurated by the President of India.

The petitioner, advocate CR Jaya Sukin, argues that the exclusion of the President from the inaugural ceremony violates the Indian Constitution and demonstrates a lack of respect for it.

 

According to the plea, "The Parliament is the Supreme legislative body in India, consisting of the President and the two Houses, the Council of States and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The President holds the power to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament or to dissolve the Lok Sabha."

The plea further states, "The President is an integral part of Parliament, so why was the President excluded from the foundation laying ceremony and not included in the inauguration? This indicates misconduct and deprivation by the respondents towards the people of the nation."

’Rahul Gandhi criticizes PM’s ego’

Rahul Gandhi emphasized that Parliament is constructed through constitutional values, not through personal egos. He criticized the decision to prevent President Droupadi Murmu from inaugurating the new Parliament building and not inviting her to the ceremony, viewing it as an insult to the highest constitutional position in the country.

Several other Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, expressed their discontent with the government’s decision to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the new Parliament building on May 28. Ramesh stated in a Hindi tweet, "The ’shehnai’ of ’democracy’ should be played in Parliament, but since the self-proclaimed ’Vishwaguru’ arrived, the cannon of ’autocracy’ is being fired." He added, "Change the intentions, not the building."

Previously, 19 opposition parties, including Congress, Left, AAP, and TMC, announced their boycott of the inauguration, citing the erosion of democracy within Parliament as the reason. They believed that a new building held no value when the essence of democracy had been compromised.

’Opposition Boycotts Parliament Event, Citing Erosion of Democracy’

Nineteen opposition parties, including Congress, Left, TMC, SP, and AAP, united to declare their boycott of the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They expressed their belief that a new building held no significance when the "soul of democracy had been sucked out."

The inauguration, scheduled for May 28, was organized by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after extending an invitation to Prime Minister Modi.

The parties jointly stated, "When the essence of democracy has been compromised within Parliament, we see no value in a new building. Therefore, we announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building."

They further added, "We will continue to fight against this ’authoritarian’ prime minister and his government, conveying our message directly to the people of India through letters, spirit, and actions."

The opposition parties criticized Modi, highlighting his undemocratic actions and his continuous weakening of Parliament. They noted instances of disqualification, suspension, and silencing of opposition members of Parliament who raised concerns on behalf of the people. The parties also pointed out disruptions caused by MPs from the ruling party and the lack of meaningful debate on controversial legislations such as the three farm laws, as well as the diminishing role of Parliamentary Committees.