The Rashtrapati Bhavan has canceled the weekly Change of Guard ceremony on June 8, 15, and 22 in order to prepare for the Prime Minister’s and his council of ministers’ oath-taking ceremony at the forecourt and President Droupadi Murmu’s speech to both chambers of parliament.
“Due to the preparation for the Swearing-in-Ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Forecourt, Rashtrapati Bhavan and address to both Houses of Parliament by the President,” the statement read, as reported by the media. “The Change of Guard ceremony will not take place on June 8, 15, and 22, 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
A weekly military custom known as the “change of guard” ritual allows a new group of President’s Bodyguards (PBGs) to assume command.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi met on Friday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where Modi asserted his claim to lead the government. PM Modi was chosen as the alliance’s head during the NDA Parliamentary meeting earlier in the day.
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Speaking to media outside Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the prime minister gave the populace the assurance that development activities would proceed at the same rate during his third term. He also expressed gratitude to the populace for enabling NDA to serve the nation for a third time.
Security beefed up in Delhi
In the meantime, senior Delhi Police officers carried out a comprehensive security assessment of Rashtrapati Bhavan in advance of Narendra Modi’s June 9 swearing-in ceremony for a third term as prime minister, according to news agency ANI.
For international dignitaries attending the swearing-in event, additional security precautions have also been planned. These measures include tightened security at three specific hotels where the dignitaries would be lodging.
Apart from the ground security measures, Delhi Police announced a No-Fly Zone over the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi in a public warning on Friday.
The advice forbids using non-traditional aerial platforms, with the intention of averting any possible dangers from law enforcement, antisocial groups, or terrorists during the swearing-in ceremony.
Additionally, the public notice stated that the ban will be in place from June 9 to June 10, 2024. The Indian Penal Code, Section 188, imposes penalties for violators.