In an evocative moment on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the nation by performing a ‘sashtang pranam’ (prostration) during the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building in the nation’s capital. This event echoes a similar gesture made by the Prime Minister during the ‘bhoomi pooja’ (ground-breaking ceremony) for the Ram Lalla in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya.
Amidst the resonating echoes of Vedic mantras and conch shells, Modi exhibited his respect and commitment to the nation by prostrating in front of the ‘Sengol,’ an emblem of service to the nation, harking back to the age of the Chola Empire.
Following a solemn puja, Modi installed the sacred ‘Sengol’ in the Lok Sabha chamber of the new Parliament building, strategically positioning it next to the Speaker’s chair. The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction through a tweet, stating: “Delighted to see Sengol being recognized at the inauguration of the new buiding of the Indian Parliament. Its august presence illustrates how heritage and progress merge beautifully, giving us added inspiration to fulfil people’s aspirations.”
The historic ‘Sengol’ was handed over to the Prime Minister by Adheenams for installation in the Parliament building. Modi had previously decided to adopt the Sengol as a national symbol of the ‘Amrit Kaal.’
It’s noteworthy that the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, had accepted this same ‘Sengol’ at his residence on the night of August 14 in the presence of several leaders.
Modi’s reverential actions echo previous symbolic acts. In 2020, he bowed before the Ram Lalla idol in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya at the commencement of the Ram Temple ‘bhoomi poojan’. In 2019, after his election as leader of the NDA and BJP parliamentary party, Modi respectfully touched the Constitution of India with his forehead. Similarly, in 2014, upon entering Parliament for the first time after the BJP’s victory, Modi bowed his head in contact with the stairs, paying respect to the “temple of democracy.”