Despite the boycott by at least 20 opposition parties, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new parliament building in New Delhi on Sunday. The building symbolizes the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians, Modi said in his opening speech.

Till Fähnders

Political correspondent for Southeast Asia.

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"Several years of foreign domination have stolen our pride. Today, India has left this colonial mindset behind," the prime minister said, according to the Hindustan Times. He also described the parliament as a "temple" of Indian democracy.

Criticism from the opposition

The opposition had previously criticized the weakening of democratic institutions under Modi and called for the inauguration of the building by President Droupadi Murmu. "The prime minister considers the inauguration of the parliament building a coronation," wrote opposition politician Rahul Gandhi.

He was alluding to the fact that the Prime Minister had been presented with an old scepter in the ceremony, which was strongly influenced by religion. The scepter, whose historical significance is disputed, was fixed in the new House of Commons as a sign of Indian independence.

The new building is said to have practical advantages over the old building, which, according to the government, had shown signs of wear and tear. In addition, in the course of the planned enlargement of the two chambers of parliament, significantly more deputies can be accommodated.

The new building is also part of a large-scale redesign of the government district of New Delhi, which is characterized by British colonial architecture. The entire renovation project, in which modern buildings with Indian elements will be built for various institutions, is expected to cost 2.4 billion dollars.

The opening was also overshadowed by the arrest of a number of demonstrators who had planned a rally in front of the parliament. Most of them were athletes who have been calling for the arrest of the head of the Indian Wrestling Federation for weeks.

The sports official and member of parliament of the ruling party is accused, among other things, of sexual abuse in several cases. The wrestlers, along with numerous supporters, had been holding out in a protest camp in New Delhi since April. However, the camp was dissolved by the police on Sunday.