Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, May 25: A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday asking for an order directing that Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, inaugurate the new Parliament building on May 28.
The PIL claimed that by inviting the President for the inauguration, the Lok Sabha Secretariat violated the Constitution.
According to the PIL submitted by attorney Jaya Sukin, the statement issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on May 18 and the invitations sent out by the Secretary General, Lok Sabha, regarding the opening of the new Parliament building, are in violation of the Indian Constitution.
“That Prime Minister is appointed by the President and other ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The President of India is authorised to appoint constitutional functionaries such as Governors, Judges of both the Supreme Court and high court, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, chairman and manager of the Union Public Service Commissioner, Chief Election Commissioner, Financial Commissioner, and other Election commissioners,” the plea said.
The Ministry of Law and Justice, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Lok Sabha Secretariat are added as parties to the case.
It stated, “Respondent’s (Secretary and Union) decision is illegal, Arbitrary, high-handed, whimsical and unfair, abuse of authority and against the principles of natural justice.”
“Respondents has violated Indian Constitution and Constitution is not being respected. Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India. The Indian Parliament comprises of the President and the two Houses – Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of the People). The President has the power to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament or to dissolve Lok Sabha,” it added.
On May 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the new Parliament building. In response to the PM’s choice to lead the inauguration ceremony rather than President Droupadi Murmu, at least 21 opposition parties have decided to boycott.