New State emblem for Tripura sparks row; replace it, says Opposition

Controversy surrounds newly designed State Emblem in Tripura, sparking demands for replacement to reflect state's uniqueness.

Leader of the Opposition in the Tripura Assembly Jitendra Chaudhury on Sunday said the State emblem, which was approved by the Centre three days ago, does not reflect the State’s “nature, culture, and landscape”.

Chief Minister Manik Saha had on January 9 had announced that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs granted approval to the newly designed State emblem. He had termed the development a “significant milestone”. Mr. Chaudhury claimed that there were murmurs of dissent regarding the design of the emblem within the ruling BJP as well.

He demanded that the State government “respect the public sentiment” and replace it with “an appropriate design”. It has the national emblem at the centre of an outline of the State map, which is placed in a saffron circle with ‘Government of Tripura’ written below. “State emblem should have reflected the uniqueness of Tripura’s landscape,” said the CPI(M) State secretary. However, he added, the government has selected a logo that has “triggered controversy”. “I am not against any colour, even saffron, but it seems the logo was created intentionally,” Mr. Chaudhury said.