India: Controversy over shape of bloodthirsty lion instead of innocent lion in new statue of national emblem

 India: Controversy over shape of bloodthirsty lion instead of innocent lion in new statue of national emblem

India's new parliament building under construction has sparked controversy over the shape of a lion in the national emblem Ashoka Chakra. Opponents say the new statue depicts the lion in a very angry and bloodthirsty manner.

The statue was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. Prior to the unveiling, Modi had also performed poojas according to Hindu rites and customs. It is not aggressively depicted in the old statues of the lion, India's national emblem. But in the new statue, the lion's mouth is open in a roaring manner and its two large teeth are clearly visible. The lion looks angry.

Opposition party Trinamool Congress says Sher has been portrayed as unnecessarily aggressive. Leading lawyer and social activist Prashant Bhushan wrote in a tweet, "From Gandhi to Godse: The lion is in a dignified and non-aggressive form in the statues of our national symbol." The new statue, erected on the new parliament building, shows the lion in a rage and has large bloody teeth in its open mouth. This is Modi's new India. "

In response, author Vikas Saraswat wrote sarcastically. "Not only that, Sir, the former used to eat yogurt and vegetables and sit down with George Harrison and sing 'Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth'."

The national emblem of India was taken from a pillar of Emperor Ashoka of India in 250 BC. The pillar was found in a Buddhist stupa at Sarnath near Banaras. It is called Ashoka's lot. It has a statue of four lions on a small platform facing in all directions. It was built as a symbol of truth and peace. 

According to Indian law on the national emblem, the publication or construction of the national emblem cannot be changed.

The new national emblem on the parliament is made of brass and weighs 9,500 kg. ''Its height is six and a half meters''.

 Sculptor designer Sunil Deore has said in some TV interviews that he has copied the whole of the original sculpture but it may be slightly different as it is much larger than the original.

Regarding the lion's teeth and angry shape, he says, "It makes a difference because of the angle from which it is photographed." Secondly, the original statue is only two and a half feet tall and the new one is six and a half meters tall. Due to its large size, its mouth is more open and its teeth appear to be more protruding.

Sandeep Gupta of the Congress party tweeted, "The new imitations of Ashoka Pillar are from Burma and Sri Lanka." They are called chanthas. Buddhists meet at the gates of monasteries and also at the flag of Sri Lanka. His mouth is open and his face is bloody.

Many people have also tweeted in support of the new statue of the national emblem. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is building a new parliament on the premises of the Indian Parliament. The building is expected to be completed by next winter. 

A statue of the national emblem has been erected on the roof of the newly constructed parliament. The ruling BJP says the opposition and anti-Modi liberal intellectuals oppose every move by the government.