The choice to boycott got here amid a disagreement on the matter between the federal government and the opposition (File)
New Delhi: In a present of unity, 19 opposition events, together with the Congress, Left and TMC, on Wednesday introduced their choice to boycott the inauguration of the brand new Parliament constructing by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying they discover no worth in a brand new constructing when the soul of democracy has been sucked out.
Noting that the inauguration of the Parliament constructing is a momentous event, the opposition events in a joint assertion stated, “Despite our belief that the government is threatening democracy, and our disapproval of the autocratic manner in which the new Parliament was built, we were open to sinking our differences and marking this occasion”.
However, Prime Minister Modi’s choice to inaugurate the brand new Parliament constructing 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”.
Modi will inaugurate the brand new Parliament constructing on May 28 following an invite by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
The opposition events stated the president shouldn’t be solely the Head of State in India, but in addition an integral a part of Parliament as she summons, prorogues, and addresses it.
“In short, Parliament cannot function without the president. Yet, the prime minister has decided to inaugurate the new Parliament building without her. This undignified act insults the high office of the president, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution. It undermines the spirit of inclusion which saw the nation celebrate its first woman Adivasi President,” the events stated.
The Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Janata Dal (United), AAP, CPI-M, CPI, SP, NCP, SS (UBT), RJD, IUML, JMM, NC, KC (M), RSP, VCK, MDMK, RLD are the signatories of the joint assertion.
The choice to boycott got here amid a disagreement on the matter between the federal government and the opposition, which has been demanding that the president ought to inaugurate the brand new Parliament constructing and never the prime minister.
In their joint assertion, the opposition events stated the brand new Parliament constructing has been constructed at “great expense” throughout a once-in-a-century pandemic with no session with the folks of India or MPs, for whom it’s apparently being constructed.
“When the soul of democracy has been sucked out from Parliament, we find no value in a new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building,” the events stated.
“We will continue to fight ? in letter, in spirit, and in substance against this ‘authoritarian’ prime minister and his government, and take our message directly to the people of India,” the opposition events stated.
The opposition events stated Article 79 of the Constitution states. “There shall be a Parliament for the Union which shall consist of the President and two Houses to be known respectively as the Council of States and the House of the People.”
Slamming the prime minister, the events stated, “Undemocratic acts are not new to the prime minister, who has relentlessly hollowed out Parliament. Opposition Members of Parliament have been disqualified, suspended and muted when they raised the issues of the people of India. MPs from the Treasury benches have disrupted Parliament.”
“Many controversial legislations, including the three farm laws, have been passed with almost no debate, and Parliamentary Committees have been practically made defunct,” the events stated.
The Congress stated the prime minister’s choice to inaugurate the brand new Parliament constructing is a “direct attack” on democracy.
“Completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu ji on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Parliament House is not only an insult to Her Excellency but also a direct attack on democracy,” the Congress stated in a tweet in Hindi.
“When the very spirit of democracy has been expelled from Parliament, we see no value in a new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building,” it stated.
RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha stated President Murmu ought to have inaugurated it as this could be in keeping with constitutional propriety.
“However, the prime minister made a choice. He does not listen to others,” Jha stated.
The opposition events had boycotted the ceremony to put the inspiration stone of the constructing by Modi in December 2020, citing issues about its timing amid farmer protests, the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial misery resulting from a lockdown.
The grand opening of the brand new constructing, it’s learnt, will likely be marked by the chanting of hymns, a “havan” and a “puja”. The rituals will begin within the morning and the primary programme is scheduled to be held within the afternoon.
Besides Modi, the Lok Sabha Speaker will likely be current on the opening ceremony.
