New Delhi: Prime Minister Modi's unveiling of the national emblem, placed atop the new parliament building, on Monday invited criticism from the Opposition.
PM Modi was accused of turning the ceremony, attended by attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Housing Minister Hardeep Puri, a personal event.
Opposition parties also called into question the Constitutional propriety of the PM unveiling the emblem calling the sculpture's unveiling a "clear violation of the Constitution."
The metal sculpture sitting atop the new parliament building was built in Aurangabad, Jaipur and Delhi by artists Sunil Deore and Lakshman Vyas, according to the Indian Express.
Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi tweeted that parliament and the national emblem belong to the people of India and not to one man.
Gogoi wished the leaders of all major parties were present at the inauguration, to uphold the Constitution.
The CPM stated that the Constitution unambiguously separates the three wings of our democracy — the Executive (government), the Legislature (Parliament and state assemblies) and the Judiciary.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the Prime Minister being the head of the government should not have unveiled the national emblem and added that PM Modi violated all constitutional norms.
BJP BJP's chief spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni countered the Opposition's charges calling them politically motivated.