Culture Clash: Amit Shah questions Congress' disregard for Indian traditions and Sengol controversy
New Delhi, May 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticized the Congress party, questioning their stance on Indian traditions and culture. He highlighted the controversy surrounding the "Sengol" given to former Prime Minister Pandit Nehru, which was subsequently relegated to a museum as a mere "walking stick."
In a series of tweets, Shah expressed his concerns about the Congress party's apparent disdain for Indian traditions and culture. He referred to the sacred Sengol bestowed upon Pandit Nehru by a revered Saivite Mutt from Tamil Nadu, which was meant to symbolize India's freedom. Shah questioned why the Congress party chose to disregard its significance and relegate it to a museum.
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 symbolize India’s freedom but it was banished to a museum as a ‘walking stick’. — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 26, 2023
Shah further urged the Congress party to reflect on its behavior, citing the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a holy Saivite Mutt, which emphasised the importance of the Sengol during India's freedom struggle. He criticized the Congress for dismissing the historical accounts of the Adheenam as "bogus" and suggested that the party should introspect on its actions.
Also Read: Classical Dancer's Letter Unveils Historical Gem: Sengol in spotlight
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh responded to Shah's remarks, stating that there was no documented evidence of Mountbatten, Rajaji, and Nehru describing the Sengol as a symbol of the transfer of British power to India. Ramesh dismissed all claims regarding the Sengol as baseless and manufactured, propagated through social media platforms like WhatsApp.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to adopt the Sengol as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal. The new Parliament building will witness a ceremony where Adheenam priests will repeat the ritual and bestow the Sengol upon the Prime Minister. The same Sengol from 1947 will be prominently displayed in the Lok Sabha near the Speaker's podium and will be showcased on special occasions.
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 the Adheenam’s history as BOGUS! Congress needs to reflect on their behaviour. — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 26, 2023
Meanwhile, BJP National President JP Nadda questioned the motives of political parties boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building. He suggested that these parties, predominantly led by dynastic leaders, prioritize the perpetuation of select family legacies over democratic principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Nadda claimed that the elitist mindset of such dynastic parties, particularly the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, hindered their ability to accept that a leader from a humble background had gained the trust of the Indian people.
Nadda emphasized that the people of India were witnessing how these parties prioritized their political agendas over the nation's welfare. He predicted that the electorate would once again punish these parties for their partisan politics.
What connects most parties which are boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building?
The answer is simple- they are dynasty run political parties, whose monarchic methods are at loggerheads with the principles of republicanism and democracy in our Constitution. — Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) May 26, 2023
The controversy emerged after at least 21 opposition parties decided to boycott Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over the inauguration ceremony instead of President Droupadi Murmu. The opposition argued that the decision to exclude the President from the event insulted the high office and violated the spirit of the Constitution.
The new Parliament building is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on May 28.
Also Read: New Parliament building: Know all about historic 'Sengol' to be placed near Speaker's seat
Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam rejects Congress' claims on Sengol as symbol of power transfer
The Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam has expressed its disagreement with the Congress party's assertion that there is no documented evidence of the Sengol being recognised as the symbol of power transfer from Britain to India in 1947. In an official statement, the Adheenam described attempts to downplay the significance of the Sengol for political purposes as disheartening and unfortunate.
Responding to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's statement questioning the documented evidence of Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari, and Jawaharlal Nehru associating the Sengol with the transfer of power, the Adheenam argued that dismissing such historical events as bogus or false undermines their credibility.
The Adheenam emphasized that multiple sources, including their own records, provide well-documented proof of their participation in the ceremonial ritual marking the transfer of power. They maintained that raising doubts about their credibility was unwarranted.
Additionally, the Adheenam criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his supporters for allegedly exploiting the ceremonial sceptre for their political agenda in Tamil Nadu.
The Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam's response serves as a counterpoint to the Congress party's claims, highlighting the significance of the Sengol in the historical context of India's power transition.
- With inputs from agencies
