The opposition has described the act as “a serious insult” to Indian democracy, since the Government has “disqualified, suspended and silenced” legislators.
Boycott Modi during the inauguration of the new Indian Parliament.
The main opposition parties missed the inauguration of a new Parliament building by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
The new Parliament, with a total cost of more than 110 million euros, is part of a plan to renovate residences and offices built in the center of New Delhi during the British colonial era. This project, estimated at more than 2.6 billion euros, also includes Modi’s personal home.
The opposition claims that this plan would “irrevocably” destroy the area’s cultural heritage. In addition, he has described the act as “a serious insult” to Indian democracy, since the Government has “disqualified, suspended and silenced” opposition legislators while approving “controversial laws” with little debate. This joins criticism that Modi had sidelined President Droupadi Murmu, who has only ceremonial powers but is the head of state and highest constitutional authority.
The project was announced in 2019, and Modi laid the foundation in December 2020; and has drawn intense criticism from opposition politicians, architects and heritage experts, many of whom have called it environmentally irresponsible, a threat to cultural heritage and too expensive.
India’s powerful Home Minister Amit Shah said the opposition had politicized the event. Other leaders of Modi’s party called the boycott an insult to the prime minister. Modi’s government has said the renovation was necessary because the old building “showed signs of wear and tear” and that the new design “combines the country’s heritage and traditions.”
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