Historic Sceptre ‘Sengol’ Moved To Delhi Ahead Of Inauguration Of New Parliament Building

India

oi-Prakash KL

Ahead of the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the golden ‘Sengol’, which was kept in Allahabad Museum, has been moved to Delhi.

The whole collection of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru has been kept in Allahabad Museum and ‘Sengol’ was transferred to the National Museum last year, Waman Wankhede, Curator of the Allahabad Museum, told ANI.

‘Sengol’ will be kept as a legacy in the new Parliament building. “The foundation stone of this museum was also laid by former PM Nehru. He donated more than 1200 materials to Allahabad Museum, under then-curator SC Kala. Nehru wanted his whole collection to be kept here only. Along with all the things, this golden stick was also kept in the collection,” ANI quoted Wankhede as saying.

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“It (Sengol) is a 162 cm long stick with gold polish. It was transferred to the national museum on November 4, 2022,” he added.

‘Sengol’ is the symbol of the transfer of power from the British to India. This is the same ‘Sengol’ that was accepted by Nehru at his residence on the night of 14th August, 1947, from the Adheenams (Priests) of the ThiruvaduthuraiAdheenam (Mutt) in Tamil Nadu.

In the new Parliament House, it will be placed prominently close to the Speaker’s podium.

On the other hand, Twenty opposition parties, including the Congress, Left, TMC, SP and AAP, have come together and announced their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new building by the Prime Minister.

They want President Draupadi Murmu to inaugurate the new Parliament building. They have also come down heavily on the BJP for not inviting her for the event.

As the war of words continue between the ruling and Opposition parties, Union Home Minister Amit Shah slammed the grand old party saying that ‘Sengol’ was reduced to a walking stick by Congress.

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“Why does the Congress party hate Indian traditions and culture so much? A sacred Sengol was given to Pandit Nehru by a holy Saivite Mutt from Tamil Nadu to symbolise India’s freedom but it was banished to a museum as a walking stick,” Shah wrote on Twitter.

“Now, Congress has heaped another shameful insult. The Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a holy Saivite Mutt, itself spoke about the importance of the Sengol at the time of India’s freedom. Congress is calling Adheenam’s history BOGUS! Congress needs to reflect on their behaviour,” he added.

However, 25 other parties will be attending the inauguration of the new Parliament House.