Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed the historic 'Sengol' near the Lok Sabha Speaker's chair in the newly built Parliament building. The 'Sengol' holds great significance as a symbol of power and authority, reminiscent of its use in ancient South Indian kingdoms. Let's explore the top 10 key highlights of ‘sengol’.

1. Derived from the Tamil word 'semmai,' meaning 'righteousness,' the historical sceptre known as 'Sengol' has captured attention in recent days. According to popular belief, the Adheenam of Tamil Nadu presented the 'Sengol' to Jawaharlal Nehru in August 1947, symbolizing the transfer of power from the British to the Indian people.

2. Previously housed in the Nehru Gallery of the Allahabad Museum, the 'Sengol' has now been transported to Delhi for its installation in the newly constructed Parliament building.

3. The head priest of Madurai Adheenam (mutt) presented the same sceptre to PM Narendra Modi. In Tamil, the term 'Aadeenam' encompasses both a Shaivite monastery and the leader of the Shaivite math.

4. Professor S Rajavelu, formerly associated with the Department of Maritime History and Marine Archaeology at Tamil University, sheds light on the significance of the 'Sengol' by highlighting its historical background and purpose. 

5. According to him, the Tamil kings utilized these sceptres as symbols of justice and good governance. The tradition of the 'Sengol' can be traced back to the time of the Chola dynasty in Tamil Nadu, representing the orderly transition of power from one monarch to the next.

6. According to Professor S Rajavelu, the Tamil literary work 'Thirukkural' devotes an entire chapter to the importance of the 'Sengol' (referred to as "sengonmai" in the text). This highlights the significance accorded to the sceptre in Tamil culture. Additionally, the Tamil epic 'Silapathikaram' also mentions the symbolic value of the 'Sengol'.

7. Over the recent years, the Tamil Nadu branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has actively supported the requests made by Adheenams, aligning itself with them in their opposition against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government.

8. As part of their efforts to connect with the Tamil community prior to the state Assembly election, the BJP-led Central government organized the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam events.

9. Additionally, the Prime Minister has unveiled publications centered around Tirukkural, a renowned Tamil literary work, as well as the Kashi-Tamil culture. During his speeches, Prime Minister Modi has frequently acknowledged Tamil Nadu and its vibrant cultural heritage, highlighting its significance.

10. However, a war of words has erupted between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the claims that ‘Sengol’ was a symbol of the transfer of power from the British to the Indians in 1947. While Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed on Friday that “no documented evidence" exists of Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari, and Jawaharlal Nehru describing the “Sengol" as a symbol of the British transferred power to India.

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