The Opposition had hit out at Narendra Modi for disregarding constitutional norms and not inviting Opposition leaders to the unveiling<\/a> of the cast of the national emblem atop the new Parliament building in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh where they also held a religious ceremony at the site.<\/p>\n The Opposition also accused the government of distorting the national emblem<\/a> by replacing the \u201cgraceful and regally confident\u201d Ashokan lions with a threatening and aggressive posture and sought immediate change. \u201cNarendra Modi Ji, please observe the face of the Lion, whether it is representing the statue of Great Sarnath or a distorted version of the GIR lion. Please check it and if it needs, mend the same,\u201d Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said on Twitter.<\/p>\n Opposition members and activists among others on July 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on July 11 unveiled the cast of the national emblem atop the new Parliament building in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.<\/p>\n \u201cInsult to our national symbol, the majestic Ashokan Lions. Original is on the left, graceful, regally confident. The one on the right is Modi\u2019s version, put above the new Parliament building \u2014 snarling, unnecessarily aggressive, and disproportionate. Shame! Change it immediately,\u201d Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Jawahar Sircar said on Twitter sharing two different images of the national emblem.<\/p>\n Historian S. Irfan Habib also reacted to the national emblem unveiled atop the new Parliament building. \u201cMeddling with our national emblem was totally unnecessary and avoidable. Why should our lions look ferocious and full of angst? These are Ashoka\u2019s lions adapted by independent India in 1950,\u201d Mr. Habib said. \u201cFrom Gandhi to Godse; From our national emblem with lions sitting majestically & peacefully; to the new national emblem unveiled for the top of the new Parliament building under construction at Central Vista; Angry lions with bared fangs. This is Modi\u2019s new India,\u201d senior lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan said.<\/p>\n Here are some reactions on Twitter:<\/p>\n From Gandhi to Godse; From our national emblem with lions sitting majestically & peacefully; to the new national emblem unveiled for the top of the new Parliament building under construction at Central Vista; Angry lions with bared fangs. — Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) July 12, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
This is Modi's new India! pic.twitter.com\/cWAduxPlWR<\/a><\/p>\n