Amid the ‘aggressive lions’ controversy over the national emblem cast atop the new Parliament building, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, claiming that its design is in violation of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition Against Improper Use) Act of 2005 and sought immediate correction.
Two Advocates-on-Record Aldanish Rein and Ramesh Kumar Mishra have moved the apex court against the emblem. In their petition, they have contended that the lions portrayed in the emblem inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi appear to be “ferocious and aggressive” with their “mouth open and baring their teeth”.
This is in contrast with the State Emblem preserved in the Sarnath Museum, in which the lions appear to be “calm and composed”, they stated in the plea.
The plea further stated that the Central government, by altering the design of the emblems, has “manifested gross arbitrariness in violating the sanctity of the state Emblem.”
“The state emblem of India is the mark of the Identity of the Republic of India. The Republic of India belongs to We the Indians. When this identity is interfered with, it hurts the national sentiments of its citizens,” the plea added.
The plea sought directions to correct the emblem.
PM Modi unveiled the national emblem cast on the roof of the new Parliament building in Delhi on July 11.
Soon after this, a row erupted with Opposition members and activists accusing the government of distorting the national emblem by replacing the “graceful and regally confident” Ashoka lions with those having menacing and aggressive posture.
However, the Central government has justified the national emblem’s cast saying it was done after research and a well-laid procedure.
The national emblem is made up of bronze with a total weight of 9,500 kg and is 6.5 metre in height. The concept sketch and process of casting of the emblem on the roof of the new Parliament building has gone through eight different stages of preparation from clay modelling and computer graphics to bronze casting and polishing, according to reports.
