With our correspondence in New Delhi, Sebastian Farcis
The inauguration began with a Hindu ceremony, presided over by the Prime Minister, to bless the new Parliament. And priests of other Indian religions also pray later.
Hindu priests presented Narendra Modi with a special staff, called Sengol, which in the past symbolized the transfer of divine power to the king. The symbol was criticized by the opposition as a further sign of India’s democratic transformation into a monarchy led by Narendra Modi.
The royal scepter is now placed next to the chair of the assembly president.
The opposition has also criticized the president’s absence, not being invited when he is head of state and supposedly representing neutrality – unlike the Prime Minister who has a political party. This led to a boycott of the ceremony by nearly half of the assembly party.
This new parliament replaces the old one, nearly a century old, and is part of a massive restructuring project for the entire political center of New Delhi. This building will accommodate more than 1 200 MPs from the two houses, that is 50% more than before, in anticipation of India’s population increase.
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