Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a 5-ft-long ceremonial sceptre from 21 religious leaders, which is to be installed near the Speaker?s seat in the new Parliament. The sceptre, known as the ?Sengol? and made of gold and silver, has been the subject of controversy, with the Congress party questioning the government?s assertion that it was used to symbolise the transfer of power at the moment of India?s Independence. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed the allegation.
