Controversy Erupts As Statues Of National Icons Relocated Within Parliament Premises
Controversy Erupts As Statues Of National Icons Relocated Within Parliament Premises
The statues will be relocated to the grand Prerana Sthal within the Parliament House Complex. This move aims to provide visitors with easier access to view these statues.
7 June 2024
The Parliament House Complex finds itself embroiled in controversy as statues of revered national icons, including Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, among others, have been relocated from their original positions. The decision, ostensibly part of a landscaping exercise, has sparked sharp criticism and ignited debates over the preservation of heritage and accessibility for visitors.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat defended the move, citing the inconvenience faced by visitors in viewing the statues in their previous locations within the Parliament Complex. According to the Secretariat, the statues have been respectfully shifted to a newly designated area called Prerana Sthal within the Parliament House Complex itself. This initiative aims to provide easier access for visitors to observe and draw inspiration from the lives and philosophies of these esteemed leaders.
However, the relocation of statues, including those of tribal leader Birsa Munda and Maharana Pratap, to a lawn near the old Parliament building has raised eyebrows and drawn ire from various quarters. Critics argue that the move diminishes the historical significance and symbolic importance of these statues, relegating them to a peripheral location.
Supriya Sule, MP from Baramati tweeted on X (Link) regarding the issue. The tweet read, “The grand statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi were removed from the Parliament building premises. This is very infuriating. All these statues were erected by Indian citizens out of love for national heroes in the Parliament building area. The government has insulted all the countrymen by removing these statues. What is special is that today is the coronation day of Shiva Raya. Public protest!”
This later turned out to be the half-baked truth when an X user @AjaatShatrruu replied to the tweet and stated, “Newly elected Baramati MP @supriya_sule proved false. The attempt to create discord in the society by saying that the statues of great men have been removed has failed! It is unfortunate that a MP who won by 1.58 lakh votes spread this without knowledge #FakeNews.”
The Lok Sabha Secretariat announced that statues of notable leaders and freedom fighters are currently placed at various locations within the Parliament Complex.
