The recent sengol controversy surrounding a golden scepter gifted to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as a symbol of power during the transfer of power in 1947 has sparked heated debates and discussions. However, it has been revealed that even the Prime Minister's Office was unaware of the sengol until 2021. Controversy was triggered when a Samajwadi Party MP urged for its removal from the Parliament building, stating that it represented monarchy. However, editor of The Hindu, N. Ram, has pointed out that the historical sources cited by the government were questionable and that there is no evidence of any ceremony involving the sengol in 1947.
Samajwadi Party MP RK Chaudhary's demand for the removal of the Sengol sceptre from the Lok Sabha and its replacement with the Constitution stirred controversy. Chaudhary, in his letter, labelled the Sengol as an "anachronistic symbol of monarchy" and called for its removal to uphold the values of democracy. The BJP and other NDA allies criticised his remarks, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the Samajwadi Party and its allies of displaying a disregard for Indian culture and history.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament, following the inauguration of the 18th Lok Sabha. After the address, the President left the Parliament with an official carrying the Sengol as a symbol of the transfer of power from the British to Indians. The Sengol was originally handed to India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, during the inauguration of the new Parliament building last year. The prime minister had introduced his Council of Ministers in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after the election of the speaker.