- Ashoka pillar design now legal: Sculptor denies claims of design tampering
New Delhi: Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the gigantic Ashoka Pillar on the new parliament building of the country, the controversy about it has not been called to end till date. It is being alleged that the design of the Ashoka pillar has been tampered with. But Murthykar has rejected the claim, though the opposition is on the attack. These attacks are continuing.
At that time it is necessary to know what the law says about this? Can the Government change National symbols?
The dispute relates to the North Indian National Symbols (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 2005. Then in 2007 this law was updated.
The Act clearly states that the national emblem of India, is inspired by the "Lion Capital of Ashoka" at Sarnath. Section 6(2)(a) of the Act states that the Government can change the design of national emblems. So the central government has the power to change it.
Senior Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Ghosh says that under the 2005 Act, the government can change the design of national symbols. But with this it is important to remember that the symbol is an important part of Indian democracy, it has a distinct historical identity. From that point of view, it can be said that if the government takes any decision regarding its change, it should take it very carefully.
The question also arises that the government can change the design now. But can the entire figure (design) also change? In this regard, the constitution states that the government may amend or revise any law from time to time.
Advocate Radhika Roy states that the central government does not have the power to change the national emblem, but can change the entire national emblem. Because, there is no provision in the Indian National Symbols (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 2005 which can prevent the government from retaliating.
Faizan Mustfai of NALSAR University gave important information and said that Article, 51 A and the National Honors Act clearly states that any Indian must respect his national symbols, starting from the national flag and including the national anthem.
