Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new parliament building today, Sunday. This modern complex is a central part of his Hindu nationalist government's plan to renovate structures dating back to the British colonial era in the capital. The opening comes amid ongoing renovations in central New Delhi, which draw inspiration from Indian culture, traditions, and symbols, just a year before parliamentary elections. In these elections, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party will rely on its defense of Hindu nationalism and its performance in power over the past decade to seek a third term.
Earlier this morning, Modi held traditional prayers outside the complex during a ceremony attended by senior ministers. Twenty opposition parties boycotted the event, claiming Modi violated the protocol for opening the new complex, which was supposed to be conducted by the President of India as the highest executive official. Opposition leader Supriya Sule told ANI, "Inaugurating a new parliament building without the participation of the opposition does not mean there is democracy in the country; it is an incomplete event."
Modi's government rejected the opposition's criticisms, stating that "no protocol has been violated and the Prime Minister respects the constitutional position of the President of the country." The new parliament complex is at the heart of a $2.4 billion project paving the way for modern buildings with a distinct Indian identity. Modi tweeted late last night, "Our new parliament is truly a beacon of our democracy. It reflects the rich heritage of the nation and the bright aspirations for the future."
The new triangular parliament complex is located in front of the heritage building designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker in 1927, two decades before India's independence. The government has indicated that it will convert the old parliament into a museum. In addition to incorporating modern technology, the new parliament includes a total of 1,272 seats, which is about 500 more than the old building, and its area is at least three times that of the old parliament.
