Coronation of monarch: Left parties slam PM

Press Trust of India 

New Delhi 

The Left parties on Sunday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comparing the inauguration of the new parliament building by him with the coronation of a monarch and relegating the people of the country to "subjects ('praja')".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new parliament building here on Sunday morning and installed the historic Sengol in the Lok Sabha chamber. Amid Vedic chants by priests from Karnataka's Shringeri Math, the prime minister performed "Ganapati Homam" to invoke Gods to bless the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

Modi prostrated before the Sengol and sought blessings from high priests of various adheenams in Tamil Nadu with the holy sceptre in hand. Around 20 opposition parties decided to boycott the event over the prime minister and not the president inaugurating the building.

In a series of tweets, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury alleged that the inauguration ceremony was held amid "loud propaganda" with the declaration of a "new India".

"This declaration of a 'New India' comes in the absence of the President of India, Vice President of India and opposition parties! India = Nation and Citizen; New India = Raja and Praja."

"Sengol belongs to the period of feudal monarchies, emperors and kings. Indian people overthrew such bondages and ushered in a secular democratic republic where every citizen is equal. Sengol has no role in a democracy where people elect the government," he tweeted.

He further said that apart from symbolising divine sanction to rule, the Sengol symbolises just and fair governance. "Modi invoked the Sengol presented to him.

The opposite Kodungol symbolises authoritarianism. Modi invokes Sengol but practices Kodungol," the CPI(M) leader said. CPI MP Binoy Viswam said the salutations to the Sengol came at the cost of "beatings to wrestlers".