Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday unveiled the of logo of Indias G20 presidency. (PTI Photo)Presence of a lotus image on the G20 logo, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, sparked a political slugfest on Wednesday as the Congress accused the BJP of promoting its poll symbol while the ruling party claimed its rival was denigrating India’s national flower.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said it was shocking that the BJP’s election symbol (lotus) was part of the G20 logo, alleging Prime Minister and his party would not lose any opportunity to promote themselves.
“Over 70 years ago, Nehru rejected the proposal to make Congress flag the flag of India. Now, BJP’s election symbol has become (the) official logo for India’s presidency of G20!” Ramesh tweeted.
Over 70 years ago, Nehru rejected the proposal to make Congress flag the flag of India. Now,BJP’s election symbol has become official logo for India’s presidency of G20! While shocking,we know by now that Mr.Modi & BJP won’t lose any opportunity to promote themselves shamelessly!
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 9, 2022
The BJP hit back with Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri saying that the lotus was declared the national flower in 1950 by the then Congress government and Ramesh was born in 1954. “God alone knows why the Congress party chooses to denigrate and undermine every national symbol even as it is desperately out to ‘jodo’ (unite) itself,” Puri said.
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the Congress’ stand was an “insult” to Hinduism as the flower is associated with deities Lakshmi and Saraswati. Trivedi also wanted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to come clear on his party’s credentials after the party’s Karnataka working president Satish Jarkiholi allegedly remarked that the word ‘Hindu’ was derived from Persian and it meant “dirty”.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted: “Are you opposed to our national flower?” while tagging a screenshot of Ramesh’s tweet.
Lotus happens to be our National Flower! It also happens to be the aasan of Maa Lakshmi – Are you opposed to our national flower? Will you remove Kamal from name of Kamal Nath?
Btw Rajiv also means Kamal ! Hope you see no agenda there !!! pic.twitter.com/Y62kiHkjxR
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) November 9, 2022
According to the Foreign ministry, the G20 logo draws inspiration from the vibrant colours of India’s national flag – saffron, white and green, and blue. It juxtaposes planet Earth with the lotus, India’s national flower, reflecting growth amid challenges.
India will assume the presidency of the grouping from the current chair Indonesia on December 1. The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies comprising Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union.
(With PTI inputs)