'We Have Records To Show Sengol Was Indeed Used To Symbolise Transfer Of Power', Says Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam In Presser

In a press conference held today (26 May), Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, Sri La Sri Ambalavana Desika Paramacharya Swami, said that the Adheenam has records to show that the Sengol ( sceptre) presented to Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947 was indeed done to symbolise the 'transfer of power' from the British.

He said that he decided to hold the presser after people from a certain political party said that while it was true that the Sengol was presented to Nehru, it was merely a gift from the Adheenam and not something that was used to symbolise the transfer of power.

During the press conference, he showed a book titled, 'Thurasai Sceptre In India Independence.'

An official release by the Adheenam before the press conference can be seen here.

In it he said, "Saying such events are bogus or false, trying to raise question marks about our credibility, and trying to reduce the importance of the Sengol as a symbol of the transfer of power for the sake of politics is very sad and unfortunate."

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh wrote on Twitter, "Is it any surprise that the new Parliament is being consecrated with typically false narratives from the WhatsApp University? The BJP/RSS Distorians stand exposed yet again with Maximum Claims, Minimum Evidence.

"1. A majestic sceptre conceived of by a religious establishment in then Madras province and crafted in Madras city was indeed presented to Nehru in August 1947.

"2. There is NO documented evidence whatsoever of Mountbatten, Rajaji & Nehru describing this sceptre as a symbol of transfer of British power to India. All claims to this effect are plain and simple — BOGUS. Wholly and completely manufactured in the minds of a few and dispersed into WhatsApp, and now to the drum-beaters in the media. Two of the finest Rajaji scholars with impeccable credentials have expressed surprise.

"3. The sceptre was later kept for display at the Allahabad Museum. What Nehru said there on December 14, 1947 is a matter of public record despite whatever labels may say.

"4. The sceptre is now being used by the PM & his drum-beaters for their political ends in Tamil Nadu. This is typical of this brigade that embroiders facts to suit its twisted objectives.

"The real question is why is President Droupadi Murmu not being allowed to inaugurate the new Parliament?"

Reacting to the tweet by Jairam Ramesh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai, wrote, "The people who cast away the Sengol as a walking stick to a museum in Allahabad have today raised doubts on the Significance of the Sengol & its importance. His Holiness Thiruvaduthurai Atheenam has also clarified that the Sengol was first given to Lord Mountbatten, taken back and given to Pandit Nehru. This was done to officiate the Transfer of power.

"...The Congress party seems hell-bent on belittling & politicising the restoration of the Sengol as they thrive on defaming Sanathana Dharma & the rich cultural heritage of the people of Tamil Nadu."

Read our coverage on the Sengol here.