28 May 2023

• Parliament: The new Parliament building was inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Nineteen opposition parties boycotted the ceremony, protesting the exclusion of the President.
• Heritage: The Sengol was installed near the Speaker's podium. It symbolises righteous governance in the Chola tradition.
• Polity: The inauguration renewed the debate on the role of the constitutional head of state in ceremonial functions.
• Manipur: Ethnic violence continued. The conflict entered its fourth week with internet restrictions maintained.
• Environment: The new building carries a Platinum GRIHA rating and has energy-efficient systems.

GS area: Polity (Institutions, Constitutional conventions)

The new Parliament building was inaugurated on 28 May 2023 by the Prime Minister. The ceremony was held in the 75th year of Independence.

• Building facts: (confirmed at inauguration)
  • Area: 64,500 square metres.
  • Lok Sabha: 888 seats expandable to 1,272.
  • Rajya Sabha: 384 seats.
  • GRIHA Platinum green rating.
  • Earthquake-resistant; expected lifespan over 150 years.
  • Foucault Pendulum installed in the constitutional hall.
• Old Parliament conversion: The Central Hall of the old Parliament building (1921-1927) is to become the "Museum of Democracy."
• Opposition boycott: Twenty opposition parties including Congress, TMC, AAP, DMK, NCP and Shiv Sena (Uddhav) boycotted the ceremony. They argued that the President of India, as the constitutional head of state, should have inaugurated a constitutional institution.
• Government position: The Prime Minister is the leader of the government and the head of the executive. Inaugurating a building meant for Parliament was appropriate.
• No constitutional provision: The Constitution does not specify who inaugurates public buildings. The debate was about democratic convention, not legal requirement.

Static linkage: Parliament, President, Prime Minister, constitutional conventions (Polity).

GS area: Art and Culture, Modern History

The Sengol was installed near the Speaker's podium in the Lok Sabha chamber during the inauguration ceremony.

• The 1947 ceremony: Jawaharlal Nehru received the Sengol from senior Tamil Shaiva Mutt leaders (Adheenams) on the night of 14-15 August 1947. It symbolised the transfer of power from the British to independent India.
• Chola tradition: The Sengol represents the Chola dynasty practice of a sacred sceptre transferred to a new ruler to symbolise righteous governance.
• Etymology: From the Tamil "semmai" (righteousness or moral order).
• Craftsmen: The Sengol was crafted by Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, a Chennai jeweller. It is silver plated with gold.
• Inauguration ceremony: Twenty Adheenams from Tamil Nadu presented the Sengol to the Prime Minister. Nagaswaram music was played as in 1947.
• Previous location: Allahabad Museum (Prayagraj) for decades, displayed as a "golden walking stick" with incorrect labelling.

Static linkage: Constitutional history, Chola dynasty, cultural symbolism (Art and Culture/Modern History).

GS area: Polity (Constitutional law)

The inauguration debate brought Article 79 and the President's role into focus.

• Article 79: Parliament consists of the President and two Houses. The President is therefore constitutionally part of Parliament.
• Article 87: The President addresses a joint sitting of Parliament at the commencement of the first session after each general election and at the commencement of the first session of each year.
• Inaugural speech of new building: This was not a regular session. The President prorogued the session. The PM used the occasion to inaugurate the building, not to conduct legislative business.
• Constitutional precedent: Most major public buildings in India have been inaugurated by the President or Vice President.
• Constitutional position: The President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 74. Whether the President's role in constitutional ceremonial functions is governed by Article 74 is itself debated.

Static linkage: Article 74, 79, 87; President, Parliament (Polity).

GS area: Internal Security, Polity

Manipur entered its fourth week of ethnic violence. Internet restrictions remained in force across most of the state.

• Current situation: Armed groups operating in hill areas. Security forces deployed. Curfew selectively imposed.
• Suspension of Operations issue: The SoO agreement with Kuki-Zo groups was under pressure. Some factions threatened to withdraw from it.
• Internet shutdown: Extended repeatedly since 3 May. The Supreme Court's ruling that indefinite internet shutdowns must be justified and proportionate applied directly.
• Refugees: Tens of thousands of Kuki-Zo and Meitei displaced persons were in relief camps on both sides of the valley-hills divide.

Static linkage: Internal security, Article 355, internet rights (Polity/Internal Security).

• Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY): The scheme for sustainable groundwater management was extended by two additional years to 2027. Operational across 7 states: Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Co-funded by India and the World Bank in a 50:50 arrangement.
• Manufactured Sand (M-Sand): Rajasthan mandated minimum 25 per cent M-Sand use in government construction. M-Sand units granted industrial status under the Rajasthan Industrial Promotion Scheme. M-Sand is an alternative to river sand, reducing environmental pressure on riverbeds.
• NavIC NVS-01: Second-generation Navigation with Indian Constellation satellite launched by ISRO via GSLV. Features L1 frequency for wearable device compatibility and a rubidium atomic clock. Mission life exceeds 12 years.