How India’s New Parliament Building Reflects Its Democratic Aspirations
On
28 May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's new parliament
building, a triangular-shaped structure that can accommodate 1,272 members of
parliament. The new building, which is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment
Project, is meant to replace the old circular parliament building that was
constructed during the colonial era and has become inadequate for the needs of
a modern democracy.
Wach: First Look of New Parliament at Night
The new parliament building has been hailed by the government as a symbol of India's progress, self-reliance and democratic aspirations. It is also seen as a reflection of India's rich cultural diversity and heritage, as it incorporates various motifs and designs inspired by the country's national symbols, such as the lotus, the peacock, the elephant and the lion.
Sangol is a golden sceptre that symbolises the authority and righteousness of a ruler. It is a historical and cultural artefact of Tamil Nadu, dating back to the Sangam age over 2,000 years ago. The Sangol was used by the kings of the Chola dynasty, one of the longest-ruling and most influential dynasties in South India, who ruled over parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
The Sangol was crafted in 1947 by jewellers Vummidi Bangaru Chetty in Chennai under the guidance of the seer of Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam mutt, a non-Brahmin monastery and a follower of Lord Shiva. The sceptre measures five feet in length and has carvings of Nandi, the bull mount of Lord Shiva, symbolising justice, and goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
The Sangol was given to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1947, by the Adhinams of Tamil Nadu, as a symbol of the transfer of power from the British to the Indians. The ceremony was suggested by C Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India, who told Nehru about the tradition followed by the Chola kings. The Sangol was handed over to Nehru with an order to rule with ‘dharma’, meaning justly and fairly. A special song composed by the 7th century Tamil saint Tirugnana Sambandar was rendered on this occasion.
The Sangol was kept in a museum in Allahabad among Nehru’s items until it was retrieved and moved to the new Parliament building in Delhi. The Sangol will be installed in the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, 2023, near the Speaker’s seat. The installation of the Sangol is seen as a revival of a historical event and a tribute to the legacy of Tamil culture and history.
However,
the new parliament building has also faced criticism and controversy from
various quarters. Some opposition parties boycotted the inauguration ceremony,
accusing the government of violating the constitution and parliamentary norms
by not inviting the president to inaugurate the building. They also denounced
the decision to hold the event on the birth anniversary of VD Savarkar, a Hindu
nationalist ideologue whom they consider a divisive figure.
Some
activists and experts have also questioned the need and urgency of building a
new parliament amid a pandemic and an economic crisis. They have raised
concerns about the environmental impact, the cost and the transparency of the
project. They have also challenged the legality of the project in court, alleging
that it violates heritage and land use norms.
In
this blog, we will examine both sides of the debate and try to understand how
India's new parliament building reflects its democratic aspirations.
The
case for the new parliament building
The
supporters of the new parliament building argue that it is a necessity and a
long overdue reform for India's democracy. They point out that the old
parliament building was designed for a different era and a different purpose.
It was built by the British as the Council House for their imperial
legislature. It was not meant to house a sovereign parliament of an independent
nation.
The
old parliament building has several limitations and challenges. It has become
overcrowded and congested, as it can only seat 545 members in the Lok Sabha
(lower house) and 245 members in the Rajya Sabha (upper house). It does not
have enough space for offices, committee rooms, libraries and other facilities.
It also lacks modern amenities and security features. It is prone to fire hazards
and seismic risks.
The
new parliament building, on the other hand, is designed to meet the current and
future requirements of India's democracy. It has more space and capacity to
accommodate 888 members in the Lok Sabha and 384 members in the Rajya Sabha. It
also has provisions for increasing the number of seats in case of future
delimitation. It has state-of-the-art facilities and technology for conducting
parliamentary proceedings and ensuring safety and security. It also has a
central lounge, a constitution hall, a library, a museum and other amenities.
The
new parliament building is also seen as a symbol of India's pride, identity and
sovereignty. It is claimed to be an expression of India's self-reliance and
self-confidence. It is also claimed to be a reflection of India's rich cultural
diversity and heritage. It incorporates various motifs and designs inspired by
India's national symbols, such as the lotus, which represents purity and
enlightenment; the peacock, which represents beauty and grace; the elephant,
which represents strength and wisdom; and the lion, which represents courage
and dignity.
The
case against the new parliament building
The
critics of the new parliament building argue that it is an unnecessary and
wasteful expenditure for India's democracy. They point out that there are more
pressing issues and priorities for India at this juncture than building a new
parliament. They cite the Covid-19 pandemic, which has claimed over three lakh
lives in India; the economic crisis, which has pushed millions into poverty;
and the social unrest, which has erupted over various issues such as farmers'
protests, citizenship laws and caste violence.
The
critics also question the need and urgency of building a new parliament when
there are no immediate plans to increase the number of seats or change the
electoral system. They argue that instead of spending thousands of crores on a
new building, the government should focus on improving the functioning and
quality of India's democracy. They suggest that reforms such as strengthening
parliamentary committees, ensuring accountability of ministers, enhancing
public participation and ensuring representation of women and marginalized
groups are more important than having a bigger or better building.
The
critics also challenge the legality and transparency of the project. They
allege that it violates heritage and land use norms, as it involves demolishing
several iconic buildings in Delhi's central vista area. They also allege that
it bypasses environmental clearance procedures, public consultation processes
and parliamentary scrutiny. They claim that it is being pushed through without
proper debate or discussion.
The
critics also contest the symbolism and aesthetics of the new parliament
building. They argue that it does not reflect India's democratic ethos or
pluralistic culture. They contend that it is an imposition of a monolithic
vision of India by a majoritarian government. They accuse it of erasing or
appropriating India's diverse historical legacies and cultural expressions.
They also criticize it for being an imitation or emulation of foreign models
rather than an original or innovative creation.
Conclusion
India's
new parliament building is a contentious issue that has sparked debate among
various stakeholders. While some see it as a necessity and a symbol of India's
progress, self-reliance and democratic aspirations; others see it as an
unnecessary and wasteful expenditure that distracts from more pressing issues
and priorities for India's democracy.
The
debate reflects different perspectives on what constitutes democracy,
development and culture in India. It also reflects different values, interests
and ideologies among different groups in India.
Ultimately,
India's new parliament building will be judged by how well it serves its
intended purpose: to facilitate effective parliamentary functioning; to
represent diverse voices; to uphold constitutional values; to inspire public
trust; to foster civic engagement; and to contribute to national development.
Source
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PM Modi inaugurated the New Parliament
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