Parliament Inauguration Row: SC To Hear Plea Seeking Directions On Inauguration By President Murmu Today

Following the filing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court that sought directions to the government to inaugurate the new Parliament building by President Droupadi Murmu, the apex court decided to hear the PIL today.

A bench of Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice PS Narasimha will hear the petition.

The petition, filed by Supreme Court lawyer CR Jaya Sukin, reads that by not including President Murmu in the inauguration of the new parliament building, the Central government 'violated the Constitution of India'

What does the petitiion say?

The petition reads, "Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India. Parliament consists of the President and the two Houses -- the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha."

It also claims that the President has the power to summon and prorogue either House.

"The President has the power to dissolve the Parliament or the Lok Sabha," the plea stated.

The petition argued that the Central government did not invite the President to the inauguration ceremony, which was "inappropriate".

"The President is an integral part of the Parliament. Why was the President kept away from the foundation stone laying ceremony? Now the President is not invited to the inauguration ceremony. This decision of the government is not appropriate," the plea said.

Ongoing turmoil over parliamnet inauguration

Amid the ongoing row, 20 opposition parties, including the Congress, TMC, AAP, AIMIM and JD(U) have decided to  boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28.

PM Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building on May 28 following an invitation by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The four-storey building will house over 1,200 MPs.