National News

TN BJP Chief Annamalai Slams I.N.D.I Alliance Over SP MP’s Remarks To Remove Sengol From Parliament

June 27, 2024
The Commune

Indian politicians adept at garnering attention through controversial statements have become proficient in capturing public and media interest through provocative means.

Recently, RK Chaudhary, an MP from the Samajwadi Party (SP), sparked controversy with his remarks on the installation of the Sengol in Parliament. He criticized its presence, labeling it a symbol of monarchy and contrasting it with the democratic symbol of the Constitution. Chaudhary emphasized that after independence, the country should be governed by constitutional principles rather than symbols associated with princely rule.

Speaking to the ANI news channel, sitting MP RK Chaudhary of Mohanlalganj, Uttar Pradesh, stated that, “The Constitution is the symbol of democracy. In its previous tenure, the BJP govt under the leadership of PM Modi installed ‘Sengol’ in Parliament. ‘Sengol’ means ‘Raj-Dand’. It also means ‘Raja ka Danda’. After ending the princely order, the country became independent. Will the country be run by ‘Raja ka danda’ or the Constitution? I demand that Sengol be removed from Parliament to save the Constitution.”

I.N.D.I Alliance Stand

With no surprise, the SP chief Akhilesh Yadav supported Chaudhary’s statement, suggesting it was a reminder to Prime Minister Modi about the significance of the Sengol, which Modi had acknowledged during its installation. “When the Sengol was installed, the PM bowed before it. He might have forgotten this while taking the oath. Maybe our MP’s remark was to remind him of that,” Yadav said.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore echoed Chaudhary’s demand for the removal of the Sengol, criticizing the government’s theatrical approach during the Parliament’s inauguration.

NDA Stand

In response, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla strongly condemned the SP’s stance, accusing them of disrespecting Indian and Tamil culture, and challenging the DMK to clarify their position. Poonawalla asserted, “The Samajwadi Party opposes Sengol in Parliament, calling it ‘Raja ka Dand’. If it was so, why did Jawaharlal Nehru accept it? This shows their mindset. They attack Ramcharitmanas and now Sengol. Does DMK support this insult? They must clarify.” 

BJP MP Ravi Kishan criticized Chaudhary and the opposition, likening their objection to the Sengol to attempting to replace revered cultural symbols like lord Ram. Ravi Kishan stated, “They want to replace Lord Ram, the other day they compared their MP with Lord Ram”.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi defended PM Modi’s actions, asserting their correctness in honoring the Sengol.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Chirag Paswan questioned the appropriateness of Chaudhary’s approach, urging a focus on development rather than divisive politics. Paswan emphasized the newfound recognition of the Sengol by the Prime Minister after decades of neglect.

Voice From Tamil Nadu

Representing Tamil Nadu’s culture, TN BJP President K. Annamalai criticized the statements made by the Samajwadi MP on his official X account. He pointed out that following the elections, the I.N.D.I. Alliance has resumed its criticism of the nation’s culture and traditions. Annamalai questioned whether this reflects the collective stance of the I.N.D.I. Alliance and called for the DMK to provide their views on the matter.

Annamalai wrote, “Now that the elections are over, the I.N.D.I. Alliance is back with their rants against the culture & customs of our Nation. Is this the collective stand of the I.N.D.I. Alliance & we look forward to DMK’s comments on this. We wish to educate the ill-informed Samajwadi MP that Sengol is a symbol of righteousness, which was banished by Pandit Nehru and is restored to its rightful place today by our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl. The reinstatement of the Sengol in the Parliament happened in the presence & the blessings of the Adheenams from Tamil Nadu. The jibe at the Sengol by the SP MP is an insult to the Adheenams of Tamil Nadu, who come from the Backward class community. These comments from SP MP come as no surprise with the reappointment of Thiru Sam Pitroda, who equated South Indians to Africans & reflected how truly I.N.D.I. Alliance members think of South Indians & our culture.”

Former governor of Telangana Tamilisai Soundararajan also condemned the statements of Samajwadi MP stating, ” Sengol is a symbol of justice, fairness, impartiality & righteousness Mentioned in Ancient Tamil history of chola kings! Thank our Hon’ble @PMOIndia for installing it new parliament. Samajwadi party MPs ignorance is understandable, But DMK Cong Leaders from TN support is unpardonable They stand exposed as their love for Tamil & it’s traditions are only for elections to get votes not in their soul. Modi ji baiters always find fault in everything done in good faith by hob @narendramodiji Their attitude is condemnable”

Sengol – The Pride Of Indian Culture

A sengol is a royal sceptre imbued with symbolism of kingship, righteousness, justice, and authority, reflecting the responsible exercise of power. Originating in Tamil Nadu, it historically served as an emblem of royalty. For instance, among the Madurai Nayakas, the sengol was ceremonially placed before the goddess Meenakshi at the grand temple during significant events, then transferred to the throne room, symbolizing the king’s divine mandate.

Moreover, the sengol functioned as a tool of legitimacy. When the Sethupatis of Ramnad ascended to royal status in the seventeenth century, they obtained a ritually sanctified sengol from priests at the Rameswaram temple. This act underscored the ruler’s accountability to the deity in wielding authority and marked their elevation from local chiefdom to a higher royal stature. Thus, within its historical framework, the sengol epitomizes a concept of righteous kingship.

On 28 May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi installed this significant sengol in the Lok Sabha chamber, positioned near the Speaker’s chair in the newly constructed Parliament building, following a traditional ceremony. This particular sengol, presented to PM Modi by Adheenams, had previously been accepted by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on the eve of 14 August 1947.

(With inputs from Economic Times)
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