India's opposition parties including the Congress and Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday said they would boycott the inauguration of a glitzy new parliament building, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a "grave insult" to democracy by excluding the president.
Construction of the building is part of a Central Vista project aimed at revamping or replacing British colonial-era government facilities, including a new residence for the prime minister.
Work on the parliament building began in January 2021 and is estimated to have cost around 12 billion rupees, according to media reports.
Since the project was announced, it has faced criticism over a lack of transparency and high costs. It has also been hit by allegations it violated environmental and land laws.
The opposition parties on Wednesday criticised the government's decision to exclude Indian President Droupadi Murmu -- the head of state -- from an inauguration event set for Sunday in New Delhi.
"Prime Minister Modi's decision to inaugurate the new parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response," the parties said in a joint statement.
"When the soul of democracy has been sucked out from the parliament, we find no value in a new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration," they added.
Referring to the Constitution's Article 79, the opposition parties said Murmu 'is not only the Head of State but also an integral part of the Parliament'. "She summons, prorogues, and addresses the Parliament. She must assent for an Act of Parliament to take effect. In short, the Parliament cannot function without the president. Yet, the prime minister has decided to inaugurate the new Parliament building without her," the opposition parties declared.
The government has defended the construction of the building, saying it was necessary and a matter of pride for Indians.
Shortly after the opposition statement, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "We should not politicise this issue… let people think and react however they want."
The current parliament, designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, was opened in 1927.
