Reaping controversy around the Emblem on New Parliament Building
- Recently the first glimpse of the national emblem atop the new Parliament House was unveiled.
Reason behind its adoption as the national emblem
- Epitomized power, courage and confidence of the free nation.
- Two-dimensional sculpture with words Satyameva Jayate (truth alone triumphs) written below it, taken from Mundaka Upanishad, written in Devanagari script.
- Emblem represents the seal of the Republic of India.
Controversy behind the latest replica
- Many alleged that lions looked “too aggressive”, which amounted to tampering with the original to meet the deadline of Central Vista Project.
- Original emblem has mild expression, but the current one depict man-eater's tendency to consume everything in the country- It is seen as an insult to the national symbol.
Counter by Designers
- Claimed that new emblem is a huge structure meant to be appreciated from a distance.
- Original structure was 1.6 metre tall whereas new depiction is 6.5 metre high.
- Original was at the ground level while the latest depiction is at a height of 33 meter from the ground.
Prelims Take Away
- Sarnath Lion capital
- Mundaka Upanishad
- National symbols
- Ashokan Pillars
- Buddhism- 4 Noble Truths