New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the national emblem on the roof of the new Parliament building, opposition parties and activists distorted the national emblem by replacing the “beautiful and regularly self-confident” Ashokan lions with dangerous and aggressive ones. accused of doing. demanded immediate change of posture.
Leading the opposition’s charge, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said on Twitter, “Narendra Modi ji, please see the lion’s face, whether it is representing the great Sarnath statue or a distorted version of the GIR. Doing it. Lion. Please check it and if it’s needed, rectify it.”
@narendramodi Yes, please see the face of the lion, whether it is representing the statue of the great #Sarnath Or a distorted version of Gir Lion. Please check it and if it is needed, rectify it. — Adhir Choudhary (@adhirrcinc) 12 July 2022
Single program of unveiling of National Emblem by Prime Minister @narendramodi Yes, questions have already been raised with constitutional propriety, let alone democratic values. We all know our PM”#who_care_whom“Attitude. — Adhir Chowdhary (@adhirrcinc) 12 July 2022
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Jawahar Sarkar hit out at the PM for violating constitutional norms and not inviting opposition leaders to the event, saying two different pictures of the national emblem were shared on Twitter.
“A disgrace to our national emblem, the majestic Ashokan Lions. The original is on the left, graceful, full of majestic confidence. On the right is a version of Modi, placed atop the new Parliament building – annoyed, unnecessarily aggressive and Disproportionate. Shame! Change it immediately,” the TMC MP tweeted.
Insult to our national emblem majestic Ashok Singh. The original is on the left, beautiful, genuinely confident. The one on the right is Modi’s version, perched atop the new Parliament building – annoyed, unnecessarily aggressive and disproportionate. Shame! Change it immediately! pic.twitter.com/luXnLVByvP— Jawahar Sarkar (@jawharsircar) 12 July 2022
Echoing similar views, noted historian S Irfan Habib also objected to the national emblem unveiled atop the new Parliament building. Habib said, “It was completely unnecessary and avoidable to interfere with our national emblem. Why should our lions look ferocious and full of anger? These are the lions of Ashoka that were adopted by independent India in 1950.”
“From Gandhi to Godse; from our national emblem with lions sitting majestic and peacefully; to the new national emblem unveiled for the top of the new Parliament building under construction in Central Vista; angry lions with bare fangs. This is Modi’s new India is,” senior lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan said while criticizing the Centre.
Controversy erupted a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the cast of the national emblem atop the new Parliament building in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Speaker Harivansh on Monday.
However, the ruling BJP has categorically rejected the opposition’s allegation of interfering with the Constitution and distorting the national emblem.
BJP’s chief spokesperson and national media in-charge Anil Baluni said, “It is unfortunate that the opposition parties are making yet another baseless allegation which smacks of their political motive.” He said that the building would be handed over to the Parliament Administration after the completion of the construction work.
“Opposition parties questioning the opening ceremony should understand the administrative process. From the design of the Parliament to the funds and construction supervision, the entire work comes under the purview of the Ministry of Urban Development,” he said. “Even the foundation stone was laid by the prime minister,” Baluni said.