Congress Reduced 'Sengol' To Walking Stick: Amit Shah Amid Parliament Row

Amid the snowballing row over the new Parliament building, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday hit out at the Congress, accusing it of reducing the ancient sceptre 'Sengol' to a walking stick.

Several top BJP leaders have also launched fresh attacks on the Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC and AAP for their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

"Why does the Congress party hate Indian traditions and culture so much? A sacred Sengol was given to Pandit Nehru by a holy Saivite Mutt from Tamil Nadu to symbolise India's freedom but it was banished to a museum as a walking stick," Shah wrote on Twitter.

"Now, Congress has heaped another shameful insult. The Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a holy Saivite Mutt, itself spoke about the importance of the Sengol at the time of India's freedom. Congress is calling Adheenam's history BOGUS! Congress needs to reflect on their behaviour," he added.

Shah's statement comes after Congress claimed that there is no documented evidence of Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari and Jawaharlal Nehru describing the 'Sengol' as a symbol of transfer of power by the British to India.

Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh shared a descriptive Twitter message to note that the claims circulating about 'Sengol' are typically false narratives.

"Is it any surprise that the new Parliament is being consecrated with typically false narratives from WhatsApp University? The BJP-RSS Distorians stand exposed yet again with maximum claims, minimum evidence," tweeted Ramesh.

"There is no documented evidence whatsoever of Mountbatten, Rajaji and Nehru describing this sceptre as a symbol of transfer of British power to India. All claims to this effect are plain and simple -- BOGUS," he added.

"Wholly and completely manufactured in the minds of a few and dispersed into WhatsApp, and now to the drum-beaters in the media. Two of the finest Rajaji scholars with impeccable credentials have expressed surprise," he further said.

History will repeat itself on Sunday when the new Parliament House will be dedicated to the nation. PM Modi will receive the sacred symbol of fair and equitable governance, Sengol and install it in the new Parliament House.

This is the same Sengol that was accepted by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru at his residence on the night of 14th August, in the presence of several leaders.