Archaeologists say there is no merit in the controversy over the national emblem placed on top of the new Parliament building. Former ADG of Archeology Department, BR.Mani clarified. He told the news agency that the new structure differs only in size from the lion seal of the Ashoka pillar in Sarnath.
A replica of the Ashoka Stumpa, excavated in 1905, is placed on top of the Parliament building. A true lion seal is about eight feet long. But the new structure is about three times its size. At this point, there is no point in arguing about it. BR Mani said. BR Mani also noted that an excellent reproduction of the lion seal of the Ashoka Stumpa at Sarnath is placed on top of the Parliament building.
Sunil Devra, the architect of the new structure, also came forward stating that he had done the original reconstruction of the Ashoka Pillar to be placed on top of the Parliament building. The construction has been done after extensive research and studies. For this he traveled to Hyderabad, Bangalore and Patna. The Stumpa was built with complete sincerity. He said that the controversies hurt him.
The Congress objected that the posture of the lions in the stumpa at Sarnath was gentle, but that of the new national emblem was fierce. Following the Congress statement, opposition parties like Trinamool Congress, AIMIM and CPM also came forward to criticize the Prime Minister and the central government.
The National Emblem is placed on top of the center of the new Parliament building. The symbol weighs 9500 kg and is 6.5 meters tall and is made entirely of bronze. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri were also present at the unveiling ceremony held yesterday.