Guwahati, July 7: A Bodo youth leader has sparked controversy by urging the Central government to ban the use of the lotus—India’s national flower—as an election symbol for any political party.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Binod Boro, argued that national symbols should remain apolitical and above electoral contests. He expressed particular concern over the lotus being used as the symbol of a major national party, without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has used it since 1980.
Boro wrote, “The lotus was officially declared India’s national flower on January 26, 1950. I accept it with pride and respect from the bottom of my heart. But I regret that our national flower is being used as a political tool.”
He emphasized that his statement was not politically motivated and that he did not belong to any party. “I am a proud citizen of a democratic nation and feel our national emblems—like the flag, emblem, or flower—should not be used by any political entity. These are symbols of collective identity, not party ownership,” he stated.
Calling for the preservation of national pride, Boro urged the Centre to reconsider the use of national emblems in party politics. “With due respect, I request you to discontinue the use of the lotus as a political symbol. Let it remain a symbol of national unity, not electoral rivalry,” he appealed.
The plea has already stirred debate in political circles and among civil society, reigniting questions about whether national symbols should be off-limits in electoral politics.
