Amid the controversy over the G20 logo, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday lambasted Congress saying the party has been insulting Indian culture and Hinduism by disrespecting “lotus”. The logo for India’s G20 presidency, unveiled by PM Narendra Modi, has a lotus with saffron and green hues. This has irked the Opposition, specifically Congress, who has pointed out that the flower is BJP’s election symbol.
Source- Deccan Herald
BJP Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, “Lotus has been one of the most important in the culture of India for thousands of years. If we want to become an intellectual superpower and an economic superpower, then we have to believe it. Goddess Lakshmi rests on the lotus. Goddess Saraswati also sits on the lotus. Those who talk about opposing the lotus, are certainly insulting Indian culture and Hinduism.”
On the other hand, the Congress party on Wednesday criticized the BJP-led Union government for using lotus in the official logo of India’s G20 presidency. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, said that India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had rejected the proposal to make the party’s official flag as the national flag but “BJP won’t lose any opportunity to promote themselves shamelessly.” “While shocking, we know by now that Mr.Modi and BJP won’t lose any opportunity to promote themselves shamelessly!” the tweet added.
Hitting back at the Congress party for its attacks, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla pointed out that there is no political connotation to the official logo of the G20 summit, and the lotus happens to be the national flower of India.
The BJP leader tweeted, “Lotus happens to be our National Flower! It also happens to be the aasan of Maa Lakshmi – Are you opposed to our national flower? Will you remove Kamal from the name of Kamal Nath? Btw Rajiv also means Kamal ! Hope you see no agenda there!!!”
Source- Firstpost
Speaking about the significance of the lotus symbol in the G20 logo, Modi said at a video conference on Tuesday, “The symbol of the lotus in the G20 logo is a representation of hope in this time. No matter how adverse the circumstances, the lotus still blooms. Even if the world is in a deep crisis, we can still progress and make the world a better place.” The Prime Minister also said the G20 logo reflects India’s idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is a family.
The G20 Logo draws inspiration from the vibrant colors of India’s national flag and juxtaposes planet Earth with the lotus, India’s national flower that reflects growth amid challenges, according to an official statement.
India will take over the G20 Presidency from the current chair Indonesia on December 1.For India, the G20 Presidency also marks the beginning of “Amrit Kaal”, the 25-year period beginning from the 75th anniversary of its independence on August 15, 2022, leading up to the centenary of its independence.
India will organize “about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors in multiple locations across India. The G20 summit to be held next year, would be one of the highest profile international gatherings to be hosted by India,” the Press Information Bureau said in a press release.
