PM Narendra Modi unveils national emblem, Opposition slams ‘show’

The ceremony, however, triggered a political row with opposition parties accusing the Prime Minister of making it a personal event and questioning the Constitutional propriety of the PM unveiling the emblem atop the Parliament building. Hitting back, the BJP said the allegations of the opposition parties are politically motivated.

The metal sculpture has been built in Aurangabad, Jaipur and Delhi by artists Sunil Deore and Lakshman Vyas. The earlier design incorporated a spire atop the building and was replaced with the Ashoka Emblem in 2020.

“He also interacted with the Shramjeevis involved in the work of the new Parliament,” the PMO said in a statement.

Work on the new Parliament, a ground plus two-storey triangular-shaped building, is expected to be completed before the Winter Parliament session. In its initial plan, the new Parliament was to be crowned with a spire, but it was replaced with the design of the Ashoka emblem.

At 6.5 metres in height, the National Emblem is made of bronze, with a total weight of 9,500 kg and has been cast at the top of the central foyer of the building.

The central foyer has been renamed the Constitution Hall as it is expected to display the Constitution for public viewing. A library will also come up near the central foyer.

“The concept sketch and process of casting of the national emblem on the roof of new Parliament building has gone through eight different stages of preparation from clay modeling/computer graphic to bronze casting and polishing,” the PMO statement said.

“Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji inaugurated the national emblem installed on the top of the new building of Parliament. While the new Parliament House will fulfill the aspirations of a new India, this national symbol will continue to inspire us to keep the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India intact,” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the unveiling ceremony of a bronze national emblem at new Parliament building, in New Delhi, Monday, July 11, 2022. (PTI Photo)

Meanwhile, the Opposition parties hit out at the Prime Minister for unveiling the national emblem cast atop the new Parliament building, calling it a “clear violation of the Constitution.”

“Parliament and the national emblem belong to the people of India and not one man. Imagine if the leaders of all major parties were present at the inauguration today, swearing to uphold the Constitution. But why ruin the photo for our Shahenshah?” tweeted Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi.

“The Constitution unambiguously separates the three wings of our democracy — the Executive (government), the Legislature (Parliament and state assemblies) and the Judiciary. The President summons Parliament. The Prime Minister is the head of the Executive. The Legislature has its independent role to perform, amongst others, to legislate laws, keep the Executive accountable and answerable. This constitutional separation of powers between the three wings is being subverted by the head of the Executive,” the CPM said in a statement.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said: “As head of the government, the Prime Minister shouldn’t have unveiled the national emblem atop the new Parliament building. The Speaker represents LS, which isn’t subordinate to the government. The Prime Minister has violated all constitutional norms.”

Countering the opposition attack, BJP’s chief spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said the allegations of the opposition parties are politically motivated.

“Opposition parties questioning the unveiling ceremony should understand the administrative process. Right from its design to funds and constructions supervision, entire work is being done by the urban development department. Even the foundation laying was done by the prime minister,” Baluni said.

He said once the construction work is completed, the building will be handed over to the parliament administration. “It is unfortunate that the opposition parties have come out with another set of unfounded allegations, which smacks of their political motive,” Baluni said.

The CPM also objected to the religious ceremony organised at the event. CPI general secretary D Raja said Parliament belonged to everyone and wondered “how a personal event” was organised there. “Also, Parliament is neutral so why bring religious functions into it?” he said.