New Parliament: Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea on PM Modi inaugurating building

Two days before the inauguration of India's new Parliament building, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a petition regarding the event.

The petitioner wanted President Droupadi Murmu, and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the new legislature building. A two-judge bench of the top court told the petitioner on May 26, 2023, that it understands "how and why" the plea was filed.

The court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the plea, despite the Union government saying that it might be filed in the High Court later.

Around 20 Opposition parties have decided to boycott the ceremony to protest the "sidelining" of the president. In a joint statement on May 24, 19 political parties said, "When the soul of democracy has been sucked out of Parliament, we find no value in a new building." The BJP-led NDA shot back, condemning the "contemptuous" decision.

"This act is not merely disrespectful; it is a blatant affront to the democratic ethos and constitutional values of our great nation," parties belonging to the ruling NDA said in a statement on May 24.

(With PTI inputs)