'Unfortunate that 'Sengol' was kept as walking stick, your servant got it out of museum': PM Modi attacks Congress

He expressed happiness over the installation of the 'Sengol' at the new Parliament building on Sunday.

"...It would have been good if the holy Sengol would have been given its due respect after independence and given an honourable position. But this Sengol was kept on display as a walking stick in Anand Bhawan, Prayagraj. Your sevak and our government have brought the Sengol out of Anand Bhawan," PM Modi said after meeting the Adheenams at his Delhi home and taking their blessings, reported ANI.

On Saturday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with the Adheenam seers from Tamil Nadu a day before the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

During the meeting, the seers presented the "Sengol" to the Prime Minister.

“I am delighted that the symbol of India’s great tradition, Sengol will be installed in the new parliament building. This Sengol will keep reminding us that we have to walk on the path of duty and remain answerable to the public,” Modi further stated.

The event witnessed the participation of around 60 religious heads, most of whom are from Tamil Nadu.

The Adheenams or mutts of Tamil Nadu have a noteworthy history of opposing upper caste dominance and are well known for spreading religious teachings to the masses.

Many of these institutions have a rich legacy spanning hundreds of years.

The term "Sengol" is derived from the Tamil word "semmai," which means righteousness.

This sceptre holds significant historical importance as it symbolises the transfer of power from the British to the Indians during the time of Independence.

According to an official document, the Adeenams presented the Sengol to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of India's independence. Nehru, who was about to assume the role of prime minister, sought advice from C Rajagopalachari on the appropriate ceremony to signify the transfer of power from the British, reported Indian Express.

In the days leading up to the inauguration of the new parliament building, the Sengol became a contentious issue and sparked a disagreement between the Congress and BJP.

Jairam Ramesh, the communication head of Congress, took to Twitter stating that there is no documented evidence to support the claims made by Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari, and Jawaharlal Nehru regarding the Sengol being considered as a symbol of transfer of power from the British to India.

PM Modi will be inaugurating the new Parliament building on Sunday, with the ceremony set to be boycotted by 20 Opposition parties, including the Congress.

According to them the PM’s “decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President (Droupadi) Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy,” 20 Opposition parties have announced their decision to boycott the event.

Meanwhile, a total of 25 parties, including some non-NDA parties the JD(S), BSP, and TDP, have opposed the boycott and are expected to attend the inauguration of the new Parliament building.