New Delhi, May 25 (FN Agency) The All India Adivasi Congress (AIAC) on Thursday announced to stage a protest against the BJP-led government at the Centre over the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, instead of President Droupadi Murmu on May 28. Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters, AIAC chairman Shivajirao Moghe said, “The Adivasi communities across India are in a rage due to the ‘autocratic’ decision of PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself. He is completely sidelining India’s first woman Adivasi President Droupadi Murmu ji. This is not just a direct insult to India’s democracy but also to the entire Adivasi community in India.” “PM Modi has a habit of violating the Constitution of India. Not letting the President access her constitutional right to inaugurate the new Parliament building is undemocratic and unconstitutional. He is converting this historical moment into yet another PR stunt for his political promotion,” Moghe said.
He added, “The All India Adivasi Congress will organise State, District and Block level protests on May 26 to hold Modi government accountable for its unconstitutional actions.” Earlier, Congress general secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh in a veiled attack on the PM, in a tweet wrote, ” It is one man’s ‘ego’ and desire for ‘self-promotion’ that has denied the first Adivasi woman President her Constitutional privilege to inaugurate the new Parliament building in New Delhi on May 28.” He added, “Ashoka the great, Akbar the great, Modi the inaugurate.” On Wednesday, as many as 19 Opposition parties including Congress announced to “boycott” the inauguration of the new Parliament building by PM, instead of President. “The inauguration of a new Parliament building is a momentous occasion. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave ‘insult’ but a direct ‘assault’ on our democracy which demands a commensurate response,” the Opposition parties had said in a statement. On December 10, 2020, the foundation stone of the new building of Parliament was laid by Modi.