Opposition parties boycott new Parliament building inauguration, file PIL in Supreme Court

Nineteen opposition parties, led by the Congress, have boycotted the inauguration of the new Parliament building on May 28, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to "appropriate" the ceremony. The parties have also filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, seeking a direction to the government to invite President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate the building. In a joint statement, the opposition parties said that the new Parliament building is a symbol of India's democracy and that it should be inaugurated by the President, who is the constitutional head of the country. "The Prime Minister's decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building is a clear attempt to appropriate the ceremony and to give the impression that he is the supreme authority in the country," the statement said. The parties also accused the government of "hollowing out" Parliament by passing legislation without debate. The PIL filed in the Supreme Court has sought a direction to the government to invite the President to inaugurate the new Parliament building and to ensure that the building is used for its intended purpose, which is to debate and discuss important issues facing the country.