Historic Sengol to be Housed in the New Parliament

NEW DELHI: The new parliament building is all set to be inaugurated on Sunday and the Prime Minister will install the “Sengol” near the seat of the Speaker. The announcement came from the Union Home Minister who added that it was handed over by the British to Jawaharlal Nehru as a mark of transfer of power to the Indians.

The name “Sengol” comes from the Tamil word Semmai which means righteousness. It was created as a symbol signifying the transfer of power as it was handed over by Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India.

It was created under the suggestion of C Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General, based on the traditions of the Chola Dynasty wherein the chief priest handed over a sceptre to a new king when he come to power. C Rajagopalachari contacted Thiruvaduthurai Atheenam, a prominent mutt in Tamil Nadu regarding the making of the item and it was finally made by a jeweller named Vummidi Bangaru Chetty. The Sengol is five feet in length with a bull on the top.

The process of its handover also followed some traditions. According to the records, a senior period first handed over the sceptre to Lord Mountbatten and took it back. It was then sprinkled with holy water and then taken out on a procession to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It was handed over to him 15 minutes before midnight as a special song composed for the occasion was being sung.

Amit Shah mentioned that this symbolism of putting the Sengol in the Parliament should not be linked to politics but as an attempt to link the traditions and cultures with our modernity. He also said that this also reflects the farsightedness of the Modi government. The Sengol is housed in a museum in Allahabad, from where it will be brought to the parliament.

Also Read: New Parliament Building To Be Inaugurated By PM Modi On May 28

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