The Supreme Court junks plea against lion statue atop new parliament building

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition challenging the installation of the state emblem atop the Central Vista building.

A division bench comprising Justices MR Shah and Krishna Murari held that the lion sculpture installed atop the new, under-construction Parliament building - as part of the Central Vista project - does not violate the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005.

The plea was filed by two lawyers who argued that the new sculpture was in violation of the Act.


According to the petitioners, the lions in the new emblem appear to be ferocious and aggressive with their mouth open and canines visible, in contrast to the state emblem preserved in the Sarnath Museum in which the Lions appear to be calm and composed. Finding no force in the contention, Justice Shah, in oral remarks, said the "impression the Emblem gives depends on the mind of the person." The petitioners further argued that the logo of "Satyameva Jayate" was absent in the statue.

The petitioners contended: "The state emblem of India is the mark of the identity of the Republic of India. When this identity is interfered with, it hurts the national sentiments of its citizens."

It was further contended that there cannot be artistic innovation with regard to the approved design of the national emblem.

The Bench, however, ruled that there was no violation of the Act.