There is a provision for punishment for misusing the national emblem ‘Ashok Pillar’, know what the law says
There is a controversy in the country regarding the design of Ashoka Pillar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled a giant 9.5-tonne Ashoka Pillar on the roof of the new Parliament. A new controversy has started after its pictures and videos went viral. The reason for the controversy is the lions built in the Ashoka Pillar. The opposition has accused the central government of tampering with history and has said that the lions made in the Ashoka Pillar should be replaced. Ashoka Pillar is the national symbol of the country. The Government of India adopted the Ashoka Pillar as the national emblem on 26 January 1950. It is considered a symbol of governance, peace and culture. Not everyone can use it. A law has also been passed to prevent its misuse.
What is the law to prevent misuse of national emblem, what punishment can be given for using national, how the Ashoka Pillar was built, know the answers to these questions
This is the law related to Ashoka Pillar
The national emblem Ashoka Pillar can be used only by persons holding constitutional posts. Such as- President of the country, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Union Minister, Governor, Judiciary and officials of government institutions. After leaving the constitutional post, that is, after retirement, that person cannot use the national symbol.
As the cases of using national symbols according to their wishes increased in the country, a law was brought to stop its misuse. In 2005, a special law for this, the Indian National Emblem (Prevention of Misuse) Act was enacted. After this some changes were made in it in 2007.
What if the national symbol is misused?
The Indian National Emblem Act says, if a common citizen uses the Ashoka Pillar of his own free will, then there is a provision of punishment for him. He can be imprisoned for 2 years. Apart from this, a fine of up to Rs 5000 can also be imposed.
How many cases of misuse of national emblem have come to the fore so far?
How many cases of misuse of national emblem have come to the fore so far? In response to this question, it was said in the Lok Sabha that action is taken in such cases, but no separate record has been kept for it.
What is the history of Ashoka Pillar?
The history of Ashoka Pillar is hundreds of years old. It is related to Emperor Ashoka, the third king of the Maurya dynasty. Emperor Ashoka was considered a cruel ruler, but seeing the massacre in the Kalinga war changed his mind. After this incident, he left the palace and went to the refuge of Buddhism. It was only after this that the Ashoka Pillar was built.
It is said that after joining Buddhism, Emperor Ashoka built a roaring lion-shaped pillar as a symbol of this religion. It was named as Ashoka Pillar. History has been argued behind why Emperor Ashoka chose lions for the pillar. Logic says, Lord Buddha is considered synonymous with lion i.e. lion.
Courtesy : Tv9
Note: This news is originally published in tv9.com. Published for the purpose of sensitivity and awareness towards human rights.