Parl building inauguration: Shah says all parties invited, historic sceptre 'Sengol' to be installed
New Delhi (PTI): All political parties are invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building on May 28 and they will take a "call as per their wisdom", Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday amidst a boycott call against the event by as many as 19 opposition parties.
Addressing a press conference, Shah said during the inauguration, 'Sengol', a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu that was received by the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to represent the transfer of power from the British to Indians will be installed in the new Parliament building and asserted that the event should not be linked with politics.
"The government of India has invited everyone to be present at the inauguration. Everyone will act as per their wisdom," Shah, who was flanked by Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy, said when asked about the opposition parties' decision to boycott the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28.
Some opposition parties announced the boycott of the function as they said it should have been done by President Droupadi Murmu.
"Sengol can't be associated with politics. 'Sengol' conveys the message that the government should run with justice and fairness and it should be rule-based. This message will go to the people and people's representatives when it is installed in the new Parliament building.
"This is the real purpose. Don't mix this with politics. This is an old tradition that is going to be connected with the new India. Politics has its own place. Everyone works as per their wisdom," he said.
The Home Minister said that the new Parliament building is an example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's far-sightedness.
The 'Sengol' will be installed near the chair of the Speaker in the new Parliament building.
He said the Prime Minister will also honour 60,000 workers (shram yogis) at the inauguration.
The home minister said the new Parliament building is a testament of the Prime Minister's vision of creating a new India, which combines modernity with the country's heritage and traditions.
Shah said the purpose of the installation was clear then and even now and the transfer of power is not merely a handshake or signing a document and that it must remain connected with local traditions keeping in mind modern needs.
The 'Sengol' to be installed in the new Parliament building is the original one received by Nehru.
On August 14, 1947, 'Sengol' was used to transfer the power from British to Indian hands and it was accepted by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the presence of Rajendra Prasad, who later became India's first President and many others.
The 'Sengol' is special and the word is derived from the Tamil word 'Semmai', meaning 'righteousness'
The historical sceptre was made of silver with gold coated and the sacred Nandi, with its unyielding gaze. The Nandi on top of the 'Sengol' is symbolic of 'Nyaya' (Justice).
"Sengol represents the same feeling that Jawaharlal Nehru felt on August 14, 1947," he said.
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NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
