Unending queue for a statue at Parliament

There is a virtual traffic jam there, but Parliament’s statue brigade will soon have another addition: Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. And what is common amongst deceased parliamentarians NT Rama Rao, Sardar Swaran Singh, Raj Narain, Chandrashekhar and VP Singh, Srinand Jha finds out.

There is a virtual traffic jam there, but Parliament’s statue brigade will soon have another addition: Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.

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And what is common amongst deceased parliamentarians NT Rama Rao, Sardar Swaran Singh, Raj Narain, Chandrashekhar and VP Singh?

The answer: All of them have been knocking hard, seeking an entry into the portals of Parliament.

Freedom freedom fighter Kuwar Vir Singh, hockey wizard Dhyan Chand, litterateurs Thiruvallur, Prem Chand, Mahatma Gandhi’s associate Sushila Nayar, saints Narayana Guru and Ghasi Das — these are among other names being pushed for inclusion in the statue club.

“BSP founder Kanshi Ram and other great leaders who contributed to the cause of social justice deserve to be there,” party leader in the Lok Sabha Dara Singh Chauhan said.

Does his list include the party chief Mayawati? Chauhan offers no comment.

“Since 2005, there has been a freeze on putting up new statues, while more stringent application guidelines have also been issued by the Parliament secretariat. But the downpour of new demands has not halted”, said an official.

“Highly improbable that that all or even major demands (new statues) can be accommodated”, said Dr. Karan Singh, a member of the newly constituted parliamentary statues committee.

Fresh requests for statues/portraits have been forwarded to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.