A public interest petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of President Droupadi Murmu, who is considered the “First Citizen of India.” The petitioner, advocate C.R. Jaya Sukin, questions whether the President was not even invited to the inauguration ceremony.
This petition comes at a time when 19 Opposition parties have announced their boycott of the inauguration scheduled for May 28. The opposition parties have accused the government of sidelining the President and view it as an insult.
The petition argues that the President holds the position of the First Citizen of India and is the head of the institution of Parliament. It cites Article 85, which grants the President the power to summon each House of Parliament to meet. Additionally, it highlights that the Prime Minister is appointed by the President, and the President appoints various constitutional functionaries such as Governors, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and the Chief Election Commissioner, among others.
According to the petitioner, the inauguration of the Parliament, as the supreme legislative body of the nation, without the President’s presence is not in accordance with the law.
The Supreme Court will now consider the petition and decide whether to take up the case for further review and examination.
