The inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament House has been mired in controversy after 19 opposition parties announced a boycott of the ceremony and accused the central government of not inviting President Draupadi Murmu to Delhi on May 28.
The ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has condemned the boycott decision and called it a “gross affront to India’s democratic and constitutional values”.
In a statement, the NDA said that such blatant disrespect towards this institution not only reflects intellectual bankruptcy but also a disturbing contempt for the essence of democracy.
“Sadly, this is not the first instance of such disdain. Over the past nine years, these opposition parties have repeatedly shown little regard for parliamentary procedures, disrupting sessions, staging walkouts during important legislation, and displaying a dangerously lackadaisical attitude toward their parliamentary duties. This recent boycott is just another feather in their cap of disregard for democratic processes.
The NDA said that the audacity of these opposition parties to campaign about parliamentary decency and constitutional values is nothing short of ridiculous in the light of their actions. “His hypocrisy knew no bounds – he boycotted the special GST session chaired by the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee; He did not attend the ceremony when he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and even made a late courtesy call on Ramnath Kovind ji when he was elected as the President. Moreover, the disrespect shown towards our current President, Draupadi Murmu, is a new low in political discourse. Strong opposition to his candidature is not only an insult to him but a direct insult to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of our country.
Further criticizing the opposition, the NDA said it is painfully clear that the opposition stays away from Parliament because it represents the will of the people – a will that has repeatedly rejected their antiquated and selfish politics Is. “Their preference for quasi-monarchical governments and family-run parties reflects an ideology incompatible with the ethos of a vibrant democracy, our nation.”
‘The soul of democracy has been sucked out’: Opposition boycotts Parliament program
As many as 19 opposition parties including Congress, Left, TMC, SP and AAP have come together to announce boycott of the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying they do not find any value in the new building. “The soul of democracy has been sucked out”.
Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament House on May 28 at the invitation of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
“When the soul of democracy has been sucked out of Parliament, we find no value in a new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building,” the parties said.
Opposition parties said, “We will continue to fight against this ‘authoritarian’ prime minister and his government – in letter, spirit, and substance – and will take our message directly to the people of India.”
Attacking Modi, the parties said, “Undemocratic acts are nothing new for the Prime Minister, who has consistently hollowed out Parliament. Opposition members of Parliament have been disqualified, suspended and silenced when they raise issues of the people of India. MPs from the Treasury Benches have disrupted Parliament. The parties said, “Several controversial legislations, including the three farm laws, have been passed with almost no debate, and parliamentary committees have been practically rendered inactive.”
Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Janata Dal (United), AAP, CPI-M, CPI, SP, NCP, SS (UBT), RJD, IUML, JMM, NC, KC (M), RSP, VCK, MDMK, RLD are signatories to the joint statement.
(With PTI inputs)