A controversy has emerged over the ‘aggressive’ character of the lions in the national emblem atop the new parliament building, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Historians have expressed dismay that the essence of the original “protective” Ashokan lions has been effaced.
“The original work has dignity and confidence. The lions there are protective lions. The current sculpture shows anger and discomfort. Here the lions are aggressive,” said Rajmohan Gandhi, a historian who is Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson.
In this context, Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation leader and activist Kavita Krishnan and The Wire‘s Sumedha Pal discuss toxic masculinity, the culture of aggression and its links to the politics of authoritarian leadership.