SC dismisses plea against lion sculpture atop Parliament building in Central Vista

The Supreme Court on September 30, 2022 dismissed a plea that the lions sculpted atop the new Parliament building looked "ferocious and aggressive", saying such an impression is entirely subjective and depends on the mind of the onlooker.

A Bench led by Justice M.R. Shah said the sculpture did not violate the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005.

Advocates Aldanish Rein and Ramesh Kumar Mishra contended the new emblem interfered with the description and design of the State Emblem in the Schedule of the 2005 Act.

They argued that the lions in Sarnath, from which the State Emblem was adopted, were "calm and composed". They were not merely a design, but represented the core spiritual philosophies of Lord Buddha.