The venerable Parliament House, a symbol of India’s democratic journey for over 96 years, is on the cusp of ceding its status as the nation’s hallowed legislature to a new complex inaugurated just four months ago. This iconic structure, which has witnessed India’s colonial past, the Second World War, Independence, the framing of the Constitution, and the passage of numerous historic and contentious legislations, stands as a sentinel of time.
Constructed on January 18, 1927, and inaugurated by Lord Irwin, then viceroy, amid much pomp and grandeur, the Parliament House has been an integral part of India’s history. The government has scheduled a special discussion on the Parliament’s 75-year journey, commencing from the “Samvidhan Sabha,” on the opening day of the upcoming five-day session starting on September 18.
This session is anticipated to mark the transition from the old building to the new, state-of-the-art complex inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28. The new complex, he hoped, would serve as a cradle of empowerment, nurturing dreams into reality.
The construction of the new complex garnered praise from several quarters, including Members of Parliament and public figures from diverse backgrounds. As legislative activities prepare to shift to the modern building, India is poised for a significant transformation.
Historians and conservation architects have long regarded the old Parliament House as a “repository of India’s history” and an “architectural jewel” of Delhi. Its circular design and striking colonnade of 144 creamy sandstone pillars on the first floor have made it one of the world’s most distinctive parliament buildings, standing as a defining structure of the nation.
The opening of the Parliament House, then known as the Council House, in 1927 was marked by an elaborate ceremony. The building, with a diameter of 560 feet and a circumference of a third of a mile, was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, chosen alongside Sir Edwin Lutyens to design New Delhi, the new imperial capital of the British Raj.
Lord Irwin, during the opening ceremony, famously used a golden key provided by Sir Herbert Baker to unlock the Council House, which is now revered as India’s temple of democracy.
The last legislative session held in the old Parliament building was the Monsoon session, which concluded on August 11, offering 17 sittings over 23 days. If proceedings transition to the new complex during the upcoming five-day session, it will signify a historic moment as the old building’s rich legacy takes its place in history.
Conservation architect and urban planner AGK Menon underscored the significance of the Parliament House, not just as an iconic structure but as a repository of history and democracy. He questioned whether the construction of the new complex was indeed necessary and whether improvements to the old Parliament building could have sufficed.
The old Parliament building witnessed the birth of free India, echoed with Jawaharlal Nehru’s “Tryst with destiny” speech, and served as the seat of the Constituent Assembly, where the Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950, marking the birth of the Republic of India.
As discussions commence on the “Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories, and Learnings,” the old Parliament building prepares to pass the torch to the new complex, a triangular-shaped four-story structure covering 64,500 square meters. It features a grand Constitution Hall, an MP lounge, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas, and ample parking space.
The transition marks a pivotal moment in India’s history, encapsulating the evolving landscape of its democracy and governance.
