09 June,2024 05:10 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Narendra Modi/ PTI
Members of the transgender community, as well as sanitation workers and labourers working on the new parliament building, have been invited to attend Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony with his new cabinet.
Anurag Thakur, a BJP MP, declared that participants in 'Mann ki Baat', Vikshit Bharat Abhiyan, and the NaMo app would also be invited. Prior to the event, these guests gathered at Thakur's home.
BJP MP and former Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar celebrated members of the transgender community at his home, while former Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat did so for sanitation workers. Kumar emphasised that having the transgender community in the ceremony is consistent with Prime Minister Modi's vision of "sabka saath, sabka vishwas, and sabka prayas," which strengthens the message of inclusivity.
"This is a part of Prime Minister Modi's call of 'sabka saath sabka vishwas and sabha prayas'. Including people from the transgender community in the ceremony is to enhance the inclusivity message of the PM," Kumar told media.
This is the first time transgender individuals have been formally invited to a swearing-in event. Former Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also thanked 90 workmen and 30 sanitation workers who helped build the new parliament building.
Sonam Kinnar of the UP BJP unit stated that she and 50 community members came to bless the new government. She expressed faith in Prime Minister Modi, notwithstanding certain election failures caused by caste politics.
"We are saddened that PM Modi did not receive the number of seats as expected due to caste-based politics but we have full confidence in our PM and the situation will improve," she said.
Business leaders Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, as well as Bollywood celebrities Anupam Kher and Anil Kapoor, are set to attend the ceremony. Shehla Rashid, the former JNU student leader, will also be present.
Modi is scheduled to take the oath of office on Sunday for a third consecutive term as leader of a coalition government, duplicating the achievements of Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister. The swearing-in event at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7:15 p.m. will be attended by dignitaries and special invitees from India's bordering countries and the Indian Ocean region.
With PTI inputs
