New Delhi, July 12
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the National Emblem atop the new Parliament building, a new controversy erupted, this time over the facial expression of lions on it.
While yesterday the ceremony triggered a political row with opposition parties accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making it a “personal event holding ceremonies of one particular religion,” today Opposition members and activists among others accused the government of “distorting” the “National Emblem” by replacing the “graceful and regally confident” Ashoka lions with those having “menacing and aggressive posture”.
The Lion Capital has four lions mounted on a circular abacus. According to detractors, not only are the lions more “muscular” but also a closer look reveals a certain “aggression” in their facial appearance, whereas the original ones had a “controlled regal look” about them.
Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJP said the lions in the National Emblem are known to have a mild expression, but those on the new sculpture appear to have a “man-eater tendency”. Taking a swipe in Hindi, the RJD said “…those built during Amrit Kaal show a man-eater’s tendency to consume everything in the country”.
“To completely change the character and nature of the lions on Ashoka’s pillar at Sarnath is nothing but a brazen insult to India’s National Symbol!” said senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, slamming the government.
His party colleague Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said: “Narendra Modi Ji, please observe the face of the Lion, whether it is representing the statue of Great Sarnath or a distorted version of GIR lion. Please check it and if it needs, mend the same”.
TMC’s firebrand MP Mahua Moitra tweeted saying: “Truth be told, transition from Satyameva Jayate to Singhameva Jayate has long been completed in spirit”.
