The Congress party has voiced strong opposition to the recent relocation of statues within the Parliament premises, labeling the move as “arbitrary and unilateral.” Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the decision, asserting that such actions were taken without proper consultation, violating the established rules and traditions of Parliament.
The controversy arose after Rajya Sabha chairperson and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the ‘Prerna Sthal’ within the Parliament complex. This newly designated area now houses statues of national icons and freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, and Chhatrapati Shivaji, previously located at different spots within the premises.
Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the symbolic importance of these statues, particularly that of Mahatma Gandhi, which traditionally served as a site for peaceful and democratic protests by Members of Parliament. He lamented that the relocation was done without consultation and disrupted the historical significance these statues held within the Parliament House Complex.
Highlighting the process involved in the original placement of these statues, Mallikarjun Kharge pointed out their strategic locations and the symbolic messages they conveyed to generations of parliamentarians and visitors. He underscored that decisions of such magnitude should have been deliberated upon by relevant stakeholders, including the Committee on the Installation of Portraits and Statues of National Leaders and Parliamentarians in the Parliament House Complex.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh echoed these sentiments, criticizing the lack of reconstitution of the committee since 2019. He alleged that the decision to relocate the statues was unilateral and aimed at diminishing their prominence in areas traditionally conducive to public demonstrations.
In response to the criticism, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla defended the decision, stating that discussions had been ongoing with various stakeholders regarding the relocation. He clarified that the statues had not been removed but rather relocated to enhance visibility and accessibility for visitors, thereby ensuring a more coherent representation of India’s historical figures.
The Lok Sabha secretariat supported Birla’s stance, explaining that the ‘Prerna Sthal’ was designed to centralize the statues for better public engagement and educational purposes. Plans were outlined to utilize modern technology to disseminate information about the lives and achievements of these leaders to visitors effectively.
As the debate continues, with allegations of political motivations behind the relocation, the focus remains on how these changes will impact the cultural and symbolic landscape of the Parliament House Complex.
