Supreme Court rejects PIL seeking new Parliament inauguration by President
The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate the new Parliament building instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The plea argued that the opening ceremony will be in breach of the Constitution as President Murmu has not been invited. Opposition parties too cornered the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the matter.
Why does this story matter?
The new Parliament building's opening has been marred by controversy ever since its plan and date were announced. While the opposition charged the BJP with disrespecting the President, the highest constitutional authority, Congress branded it PM Modi's "personal vanity project." The BJP, on the other hand, argued that "the President is not a member of either House."
Prime Minister is the executive head of Parliament: Supreme Court
While dismissing the PIL, the Supreme Court stated that the subject is irrelevant to the court. It said the Prime Minister is the executive head of Parliament, while the President is the constitutional head. The PIL filed with the Supreme Court on Thursday demanded that the Lok Sabha Secretariat arrange for the President to officially inaugurate the new Parliament building instead of the PM.
How did the counsel argue for PIL
Advocate Jaya Sukin—who filed the PIL—said the statement made by the Lok Sabha secretariat on May 18, and the invitations sent out by the Secretary General of Lok Sabha regarding the opening of the new Parliament building are in violation of the Constitution. He also emphasized the president's status as both the leader of the Parliament and the first citizen of India.
20 opposition parties opposed to PM Inaugurating new Parliament
Nearly 20 opposition parties, including the Congress, Left parties, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have publicly condemned PM Modi's plan to inaugurate the new Parliament building and decided to stay away from the event. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) characterized the opposition's position as a direct assault on democracy and the Constitution.
Congress's stance on the matter
Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge earlier claimed the BJP government didn't invite former President Ram Nath Kovind to the new Parliament foundation-laying ceremony, and now President Murmu hasn't been invited to its inauguration. He accused the BJP government of repeatedly violating "constitutional propriety" and stated the President's Office had been reduced to "tokenism." In response, the BJP accused the Congress of creating unnecessary controversy.
