Symbols and substance: on the inauguration of the new Parliament building and beyond

The inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday was true to a style he has mastered: using every occasion to advance a form of politics that many of his critics find problematic. Mr. Modi presented the aesthetics of the new building as a representation of India’s myriad diversity, its rich cultural heritage and its soaring aspirations. A multi-religious prayer was a part of the ceremony, but there was no mistaking that Hindu ritualism overshadowed all else.

By weaving an artful tale around a Sengol, a sceptre gifted to the first Prime Minister of India by a Shaivite sect of Tamil Nadu, the current dispensation has sought to reimagine the founding principles of India’s republican sovereignty. A Sengol symbolised divine right and is now installed in the Assembly of people’s representatives. The symbolism strengthens Tamil Nadu’s connection to the political centre of India, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to make political gains from it. It is also notable that the day of the inauguration was also the birth anniversary of V.D. Savarkar, the founding father of Hindutva. A quest to transition Indian republicanism to a new iteration was apparent in the style and substance of the ceremony.

The new building also turns the spotlight, tangentially, on an approaching challenge of representation that will be upon India within the next decade. A nationwide delimitation will reallocate representation as per the current population, leading to a significant, relative reduction of the voice of linguistic minorities of the southern States in Parliament. The size of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will likely expand in order to avoid an absolute reduction of representation of States that have stabilised their populations. But that may not be enough to assuage the feeling of disenfranchisement that is already palpable among many regions due to the geographical fragmentation of Indian politics. The BJP wins its parliamentary majority from its strongholds while many States remain outside its sphere of influence. On 38% of popular votes, the BJP has 55% of Lok Sabha seats currently. This imbalance will be aggravated after the delimitation. The BJP’s outreach to regions and communities outside of its current catchment areas is to be welcomed. But the Centre and the BJP will have to show more seriousness, sensitivity and maturity to deal with the regional imbalances of India. For this, they will need to take recourse to more than just symbolism.

Summary of the Editorial

1. The editorial discusses the recent inauguration of the new Parliament building in India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

2. Prime Minister Modi used the occasion to present the new building as a symbol of India's diversity, cultural heritage, and aspirations.

3. A multi-religious prayer was conducted during the ceremony, but Hindu ritualism dominated.

4. The ceremony included a story about a Sengol, a sceptre given to the first Prime Minister by a Shaivite sect from Tamil Nadu, symbolizing divine right.

5. The editorial critiques this gesture, saying that it seems to reinterpret India's founding principles of republican sovereignty.

6. This act strengthens Tamil Nadu's connection to India's political center, with the BJP appearing to aim for political gains from it.

7. The inauguration coincided with the birth anniversary of V.D. Savarkar, considered a founding father of Hindutva, indicating a possible shift in Indian republicanism.

8. The editorial also highlights an upcoming challenge of population-based representation.

9. The forthcoming delimitation process may lead to the relative reduction of the voice of linguistic minorities, particularly from southern States.

10. The editorial suggests that increasing the size of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha could be a way to mitigate this, but it may not be enough.

11. There is a sense of disenfranchisement among regions due to the geographical fragmentation of Indian politics, with the BJP winning majority from its strongholds.

12. Based on 38% of popular votes, the BJP currently holds 55% of Lok Sabha seats; a disproportion that may worsen post-delimitation.

13. The BJP's outreach to communities outside its current strongholds is seen as a positive move but requires more sincerity, sensitivity, and maturity.

14. The editorial argues that the BJP and the Centre need to address regional imbalances effectively and genuinely.

15. Lastly, the editorial emphasizes that more than mere symbolism is necessary to deal with the complexities of India's regional politics.