India National emblem: Ferocious lions' statue on new parliament raises eyebrows

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This morning, I had the honour of unveiling the National Emblem cast on the roof of the new Parliament. <a href="https://t.co/T49dOLRRg1">pic.twitter.com/T49dOLRRg1</a></p>— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1546410099144540160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a bronze cast of India's national emblem on top of the new parliament building with much fanfare.

The 6.5m (21ft 3in)-tall cast shows four Asiatic lions mounted back-to-back on a circular disc.

But the new statue, adapted from an ancient Indian sculpture dating back to 250BC, has raised many eyebrows.

Critics say the lions have been given a makeover and the new "ferocious" look is not their original avatar.

Mr Modi shared a video of the unveiling on Monday morning that showed the cast - weighing 9,500kg (20,943 pounds) - on top of the central foyer of the new parliament building:

A senior government official said the installation of India's national emblem - adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka, a sculpture that was atop one of the several pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka during his reign in 250 BC - was an "important milestone in the decolonisation" of the capital city.

But many took to social media to point out that the demeanour of the lions in the new cast differed significantly from the original depiction and that instead of looking "benevolent and regal", they now "snarled".

The new parliament building is part of the government's 200bn-rupee ($2.7bn; £2bn) plan to modernise old colonial government buildings in Delhi.

Opposition parties have criticised the government for the cost of the project and its aesthetics.

On Monday, Sitaram Yechury, a leader of the opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist), said that PM Modi's involvement in unveiling the national emblem violated the Constitution as it "subverted" the separation of power between the executive, represented by Mr Modi, and the legislature, which the parliament building symbolised.

Mr Yechury also criticised the prime minister for performing a puja - Hindu religious ceremony - at the event. Opposition parties also said that they had not been invited to the unveiling.

The new parliament building was expected to be completed by August 2022 in time for the country's celebrations of 75 years of independence. But officials later said the building would be complete only in October.

BBC

 

[Stewie]

Four headed Lion bro, they have outdone the three lions of England.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Four headed Lion bro, they have outdone the three lions of England.

Four Lions. Now where have I heard that before?

 

[Champ_Pal]

Four Lions. Now where have I heard that before?

This was India's national emblem since independence. We had it on all our coins too. Not sure if it is still there.

This was adapted from Ashoka Stupa (Pillar of Ashoka). So it is nothing new in India. You being a Brit-Pak may not know it.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

This was India's national emblem since independence. We had it on all our coins too. Not sure if it is still there.

This was adapted from Ashoka Stupa (Pillar of Ashoka). So it is nothing new in India. You being a Brit-Pak may not know it.

Four Lions was the name of a British film. You being Indian based probably were unaware of the in-joke.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Four Lions was the name of a British film. You being Indian based probably were unaware of the in-joke.

I am not aware of Biritish movies.

 

[Local.Dada]

I am not aware of Biritish movies.

Ironically the theme of the movie (4 lions) is a satirical take on Brit Pakistanis some of whom we run in to here.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Ironically the theme of the movie (4 lions) is a satirical take on Brit Pakistanis some of whom we run in to here.

It's not ironic at all. We can laugh at our idiots, we don't elect them into office and go gaga over rock star receptions from ex-pats abroad.

 

[JaDed]

It's not ironic at all. We can laugh at our idiots, we don't elect them into office and go gaga over rock star receptions from ex-pats abroad.

British Elected Boris Johnson.. are you talking about Pakistan? Then Pakistan has been electing Bhuttos and Shariffs…

 

[ElRaja]

just googled it and asokas lions looked happier (reference image below), these guys look like they've spent the browsing indian social media comments.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Four headed Lion bro, they have outdone the three lions of England.

Four lions were the emblem of Ashoka the great, long before England even came into being.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

British Elected Boris Johnson.. are you talking about Pakistan? Then Pakistan has been electing Bhuttos and Shariffs…

What are you talking about? Where did Pakistan come into this?

 

[JaDed]

What are you talking about? Where did Pakistan come into this?

Who doesn’t elect Idiots into the office because both the British and Pakistanis do.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Who doesn’t elect Idiots into the office because both the British and Pakistanis do.

Well good luck with your favoured idiot, long may he continue taking the country back to the stone ages.

 

[Champ_Pal]

"Mr Yechury also criticised the prime minister for performing a puja - Hindu religious ceremony - at the event. Opposition parties also said that they had not been invited to the unveiling."

Mr.Yechury upset that he did not get the Prasad

 

[JaDed]

Well good luck with your favoured idiot, long may he continue taking the country back to the stone ages.

So it was modern in 2013? Rare complement from you cap regarding India pre-Modi

 

[Zaz]

Four lions were the emblem of Ashoka the great, long before England even came into being.

Was that before he was a mass murderer or after?

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Was that before he was a mass murderer or after?

It was long before Islamic zealots came to India to start their reign of terror and kill/behead people, including kids of our beloved Sikh Gurus.

 

[sweep_shot]

So it was modern in 2013? Rare complement from you cap regarding India pre-Modi

It was not modern but it was acceptable. After Modi came, India have gone back to homo erectus* age.

*I don't believe in evolution theory and usage of homo erectus is simply a metaphor.

 

[JaDed]

It was not modern but it was acceptable. After Modi came, India have gone back to homo erectus* age.

*I don't believe in evolution theory and usage of homo erectus is simply a metaphor.

Isn't your fav leader Erdogan, then kindly save your illogical reply.

And lol@ I don’t believe in evolution but using the metaphor

 

[MP2011]

More than anything else, this statue looks ugly, really ugly.

The sculptor should not be made the full payment for his work.

 

[Varun]

This new parliament is overall a colossal waste of taxpayer funds.

 

[MenInG]

Ok I will be very frank (and I know I started this thread) but what is the BIG deal in this?

 

[MP2011]

This new parliament is overall a colossal waste of taxpayer funds.

As are all of feku's pet projects.

 

[sweep_shot]

More than anything else, this statue looks ugly, really ugly.

The sculptor should not be made the full payment for his work.

I agree. It looks hideous. What were they thinking when they made this?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

So it was modern in 2013? Rare complement from you cap regarding India pre-Modi

I didn't say it was modern in 2013, I said it was going backwards. In the same manner Afghanistan went backwards when Taliban took over, it is a similar theme. Of course it might be that many Indians don't consider uplifting their centuries old hindu religious beliefs and trying to build legislature around them as a bad thing, and that is fine. I am sure many Muslims in Afghanistan are also very happy with Taliban.

 

[JaDed]

I didn't say it was modern in 2013, I said it was going backwards. In the same manner Afghanistan went backwards when Taliban took over, it is a similar theme. Of course it might be that many Indians don't consider uplifting their centuries old hindu religious beliefs and trying to build legislature around them as a bad thing, and that is fine. I am sure many Muslims in Afghanistan are also very happy with Taliban.

Sure same Taliban that doesn’t allow women to get educated is equivalent to BJP having a woman as minister of Finance and now nominating a woman again as a President that too with tribal background.

Sure cap if that’s how Taliban is.

“Highest in the last 17 years: 11 women ministers in Modi's new cabinet”

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...in-modis-new-cabinet/articleshow/84407588.cms

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Sure same Taliban that doesn’t allow women to get educated is equivalent to BJP having a woman as minister of Finance and now nominating a woman again as a President that too with tribal background.

Sure cap if that’s how Taliban is.

“Highest in the last 17 years: 11 women ministers in Modi's new cabinet”

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...in-modis-new-cabinet/articleshow/84407588.cms

You like Modi and his RSS inspired govt, and that's fine, you don't have to explain it to me. I already figured India's Hindu community must be in thrall to Hindu power politics to have elected that sort of govt.

 

[JaDed]

You like Modi and his RSS inspired govt, and that's fine, you don't have to explain it to me. I already figured India's Hindu community must be in thrall to Hindu power politics to have elected that sort of govt.

Naw I’m just talking about the flaw in comparison…but it’s fine if you want to think it’s same.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Naw I’m just talking about the flaw in comparison…but it’s fine if you want to think it’s same.

Why don't you just say you do like them? You produce that report outlining differences in a flash, seems you must be somewhat invested. And again that's ok, you don't need to be defensive, wear the badge with pride.

 

[JaDed]

Why don't you just say you do like them? You produce that report outlining differences in a flash, seems you must be somewhat invested. And again that's ok, you don't need to be defensive, wear the badge with pride.

That’s not how it works.

I would support anyone based on what bills they bring(and implement). If BJP can bring in more digitalization, privatization , reducing red tape, farm laws I’ll support them.

I have taken multiple stands against BJPs policies which hinder the country.

If Congress changes its dynasty politics , I’ll go back to supporting them.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

That’s not how it works.

I would support anyone based on what bills they bring(and implement). If BJP can bring in more digitalization, privatization , reducing red tape, farm laws I’ll support them.

I have taken multiple stands against BJPs policies which hinder the country.

If Congress changes its dynasty politics , I’ll go back to supporting them.

Those are the ones where I was comparing with Taliban. But maybe you don't like comparison with Taliban even though you say you take stand against those policies. Bad is bad in my view, whether it comes from Modi or Taliban.

 

[JaDed]

Those are the ones where I was comparing with Taliban..

That’s fair then.