Currently, there is a dispute between the government and the opposition over moving the statues of freedom fighters in Parliament. The opposition claims the government moved the statues to prevent opposition MPs from gathering and protesting there. However, the government responded, with the Lok Sabha Speaker stating that the statues were not removed but relocated to make it easier for people to learn about these great figures.
Previously, the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar were in prominent locations within the Parliament premises, where opposition leaders would gather to protest against the government. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claims that the statues were moved to ensure they are not in prominent spots in front of the Parliament building, preventing MPs from holding peaceful and democratic protests there.
Speaker Om Birla said that all the statues have been moved to Prerna Sthal, located on the lawn between the old Parliament House and the Parliament Library Building. This area will be open to visitors all year. Visitors will learn about the contributions of freedom fighters to nation-building. A new technology plan will share the life stories and messages of these great Indians. The outer lawn of the Parliament complex now has statues of BR Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Maharana Pratap, Hemu Kalani, Mahatma Basaveshwar, Kittur Rani Channamma, Motilal Nehru, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Durga Malla, Birsa Munda, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, and Chaudhary Devi Lal.
Speaker Om Birla mentioned that during the construction of the new Parliament building, the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Motilal Nehru, and Chaudhary Devi Lal were relocated to different areas within the complex. Lawns and gardens have been developed around these statues at Prerna Sthal to facilitate visitors in paying their respects and gaining inspiration from their lives. Information about these personalities can be accessed using QR codes placed nearby.
When the opposition accused him of removing the statues, Om Birla clarified, “No statues have been removed. They have simply been relocated to another location. There’s no need for politicization of this issue. I have been discussing these matters with various stakeholders regularly. It is believed that consolidating these statues in one place will enhance understanding of their lives and accomplishments.”
On Sunday, June 16, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar officially opened Prerna Sthal. Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Ashwini Vaishnav, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and L Murugan attended the inauguration ceremony. Lok Sabha member Jagdambika Pal and Rajya Sabha member Rakesh Sinha were also part of the event.
Up until now, the Parliament premises’ security was managed by the Parliament Security Service, Delhi Police, and Central Reserve Police Force, with overlapping responsibilities. According to the Lok Sabha Speaker, CISF personnel are now undergoing training because the security requirements of Parliament differ from those of other locations.
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