The installation of the ‘sengol’ next to the Speaker’s chair in the Lok Sabha has ignited a fierce debate this Parliament session, with Opposition MPs questioning its relevance in a democratic setup and the BJP accusing them of disrespecting Indian culture.
The controversy revolves around the handcrafted, gold-plated sceptre or Sengol, about five feet long, which was installed by the BJP government during its last term.
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The debate was triggered by Samajwadi Party (SP) MP R K Chaudhary, who wrote a letter to Speaker Om Birla, arguing that the ‘sengol’ should be replaced with a copy of the Constitution.
What is a Sengol
“The adoption of the Constitution marked the beginning of democracy in the country, and the Constitution is its symbol. The BJP government in its last term installed ‘sengol’ next to the Speaker’s chair. Sengol is a Tamil word that means sceptre. Rajdand also means the king’s stick. We have become independent after the age of kings. Now, every man and woman who is an eligible voter chooses the government to run this country. So will the country run by the Constitution or by a king’s stick?” he told the media.
What Akhilesh Yadav said
The Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, is the third-largest party in the Lok Sabha. Yadav remarked on his MP’s statement, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had bowed to the ‘sengol’ during its installation but did not do so while taking his oath this time.
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Senior Congress leader B Manickam Tagore echoed Chaudhary’s sentiments, stating that the ‘sengol’ symbolises kingship, which is outdated in a democratic era. RJD MP Misa Bharti, daughter of Lalu Prasad Yadav, also supported Chaudhary’s demand.
Yogi Adityanath’s criticism
In contrast, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised the Samajwadi Party, accusing them of disrespecting Indian history and culture. He condemned the remarks on the ‘sengol’ and accused the INDIA bloc of harboring animosity towards Tamil culture.
The controversy is set against the backdrop of the INDIA bloc’s push to emphasize the Constitution in opposition to Prime Minister Modi’s third term. Top leaders of the bloc, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Akhilesh Yadav, have been seen holding copies of the Constitution during gatherings and demonstrations.
The BJP has fiercely defended the ‘sengol’. They criticized the Samajwadi Party for its stance, alleging an insult to Indian and Tamil culture. During the installation of the ‘sengol’ in Lok Sabha last year, Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that it was an attempt to link cultural traditions with modernity, ensuring that the administration runs by the rule of law.
