09-06-2023: The controversy surrounding the “Sengol” symbol and its alleged significance as a transfer of power from the British to India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, has taken a new turn. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) assertions are nothing but a “fake factory” exposed by the head Swamigal of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam in Tamil Nadu, as reported in an interview.
According to Ramesh, the interview with the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam’s head Swamigal revealed that neither Lord Mountbatten nor C. Rajagopalachari were present during the handing over of the ‘Sengol’ to Nehru. The ceremonial scepter was presented to Nehru at his residence on August 14, 1947, at 10 pm.
The controversy gained momentum before the inauguration of the new Parliament building and the installation of the ‘Sengol’ in Lok Sabha on May 28. The BJP accused the Congress of disrespecting Hindu traditions by referring to the sacred ‘Sengol’ as a “golden stick gifted” to Nehru and placing it in a museum.
Amit Malviya, a BJP leader, claimed that the transfer of the “sacred Sengol” to Nehru marked the precise moment of power transfer from the British to India on the eve of Independence. However, Ramesh countered these claims by stating that there is no documented evidence of Mountbatten, Rajagopalachari, and Nehru describing the ‘Sengol’ as a symbol of the transfer of power.
In a tweet, Jairam Ramesh highlighted the interview with the head Swamigal, exposing what he called the BJP’s “FakeFactory.” He emphasized that there was no involvement of Mountbatten or Rajagopalachari in the official transfer of power on August 14, 1947. However, he confirmed that the ‘Sengol’ was indeed presented to Nehru, referring to an advertisement from August 29, 1947, which stated that the ceremonial sceptre was presented to Nehru at his residence. Ramesh noted that it was an initiative of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam itself.
So the BJP’s FakeFactory stands exposed today by none other than the revered head Swamigal of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam himself in The Hindu. No Mountbatten, No Rajaji, No part in OFFICIAL transfer of power on August 14th 1947. But yes the majestic Sengol was indeed… pic.twitter.com/OKRXBYZg7o
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 9, 2023
Ramesh also mentioned a photo where the renowned Nagaswaram virtuoso TN Rajaratnam Pillai is marked. He referred to an article on the Union Ministry of Culture’s website, stating that Rajaratnam was sent to Delhi by the Pandarasannadhi of the Tiruvaduturai Matam to present a solid gold mace, symbolizing righteous administration, on his behalf. Rajaratnam had the privilege of playing the Nagaswaram for Prime Minister Nehru before handing over the mace. Ramesh highlighted that there was no mention of Mountbatten or Rajagopalachari in this account.
The Congress leader has consistently maintained that the ‘Sengol’ was never presented before Mountbatten or Rajagopalachari, further challenging the BJP’s claims. This ongoing dispute raises questions about the historical significance and political narratives surrounding symbols of power and the transfer of authority during India’s independence.