Tamil Nadu's 'Sengol' To Be Placed In New Parliament: Know Its Significance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the newly-constructed Parliament building to the nation on May 28 as part of celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, announced Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday.

Shah also announced that PM Modi will install the sacred 'Sengol', gifted by a group of Priests on the eve of India's Independence, in 1947, marking the transfer of power, in the New Parliament on Sunday.

'Sengol' significance

'Sengol' holds great significance in India's history. The tradition started with a simple question by Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India who asked Jawaharlal Nehru what would mark the transfer of power when India attains Independence.

Nehru then asked C Rajagopalachari, the country's last Governor General, for advice. Reportedly, Rajagopalachari informed Nehru about the Tamil tradition of the high priest handing over a sceptre to a new king when he comes to power.

Nehru accepted 'Sengol' at around 10:45 pm on 14 August 1947 through the Adhinam of Tamil Nadu. It was a sign of a shift of power from Britishers to the people of our country.

"It is inappropriate to keep this sacred Sengol in a museum. There cannot be a more suitable, holy, and appropriate place than the Parliament Building for housing the Sengol. That is why on the day of dedication to the nation of the Parliament Building, our Prime Minister, with great humility, will accept 'Sengol' through Tamil Nadu Adhinam," Amit Shah said.

The word 'Sengol', originated from the Tamil word semmai, meaning righteousness. Blessed by high Priests from a leading Saivite Mutt in Tamilnadu, the 'Sengol' upholds the spirit of justice and fair rule and represents a powerful commitment towards a more equitable and inclusive India.

"PM Modi, by adopting the 'Sengol' as the symbol for Amrit Kaal, in the New Parliament, has sought to institutionalise a piece of our national history and commit those in power, for times to come, to the primacy of the rule of law, at all times," tweeted BJP's I-T department head Amit Malviya.