The Supreme Court on Friday refused hearing PIL that sought direction that the new Parliament building should be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu on 28th May.
A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking a direction to the Lok Sabha secretariat for the inauguration of the new Parliament building by President Droupadi Murmu, who is the 'first citizen of India and the head of the institution.'
What did the PIL argue on?
A Supreme Court lawyer based in Tamil Nadu, named Jaya Sukin filed the petition. The PIL argued that since the President and both Houses are part of the Parliament, excluding the President from the foundation laying ceremony and the building's inauguration signifies malpractice and deprivation by the government.
Opposition parties boycott the inauguration, citing insult to President's office
In a joint statement issued by 19 Opposition parties, they announced their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building, deeming it an undignified act.
They criticised the decision to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi conduct the inauguration instead of President Murmu, asserting that it is an insult to the high office of the President. The Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Janata Dal (United), AAP, CPI-M, CPI, SP, NCP, SS (UBT), RJD, IUML, JMM, NC, KC (M), RSP, VCK, MDMK, and RLD are among the signatories of the joint statement.
NDA criticises Opposition's boycott as affront to democracy
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, responded strongly to the Opposition's decision to boycott the new Parliament building's inauguration. They condemned the stand of the Opposition parties as a blatant affront to democratic ethos and constitutional values of our great nation.
In a statement issued by leaders of 14 NDA parties, they urged the Opposition to reconsider their decision, warning that the people of India would not forget their "egregious insult" to democracy and the elected representatives if they maintained their stance.
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