Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 24 said the upcoming inauguration of the new parliament building will also see Prime Minister Narendra Modi install a historic sceptre from Tamil Nadu next to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s seat.
Key points
- Known as Sengol — derived from the Tamil word “Semmai”, meaning “Righteousness” — the sceptre is a “significant historical” symbol of Independence as it signifies the transfer of power from the British to the Indians.
- It was a special occasion on the night of August 14, 1947, celebrating India’s independence.
- On this night Jawaharlal Nehru received the ‘Sengol’ from the Adheenams (Priests) of the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam (Mutt) in Tamil Nadu, who had specially arrived for the occasion.
- It was precisely the moment in which power was transferred by the British into the hands of Indians.
- It was a sign of shift of power from Britishers to the people of our country.
- It was inspired by a ceremony performed during the Chola dynasty, in which the transfer of power from one king to the other was sanctified and blessed by high priests.
- The symbol (for the transfer of power) used was the handover of the ‘Sengol’ from one King to his successor.
- Constructed by two men — Vummidi Ethirajulu and Vummidi Sudhakar, both are still alive and remember making it — the sceptre measures five feet in length and has a ‘Nandi’ bull on top, symbolising justice.
- The same Sengol from 1947 will be installed by the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha, prominently close to the Speaker’s podium.
- It will be displayed for the Nation to see, and will be taken out on special occasions.
