Shunning colonial footprints to forge new path for new India

The 2023 monsoon session of the Indian Parliament will go down as a landmark one. Right from the start to the very last day, it was an eventful session. While the last few days were dominated by vigorous discussions on the Delhi Services Bill and the No-Confidence motion brought against the Narendra Modi-led government, it was away from all the humdrum that on the very last day of the monsoon session, India tabled historic legislations. Three new Bills were introduced by repealing the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Criminal Procedure Code, (1898), 1973 and Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 will replace the Indian Penal Code; the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023 will replace the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023.

While the existing laws were designed to punish, the new laws aim to provide justice, and above all, it is an attempt to end all signs of slavery, the government said.

These Bills were symbolic in more ways than one. Many believe as the Juggernaut of new India is rolling, it is shedding all the vestiges of its colonial past. It is being fuelled by a political resolve not only to retrofit, but also to create a new identity to represent the birth, ambitions and aspirations of a new India.
The wheels of this exercise have been in motion for quite some time and here we list some of the key milestones in this endeavour. 

Renaming of Rajpath as Kartavya Path

On September 08, 2022, the Rajpath was renamed as the Kartavya Path to make it a symbol of public ownership and empowerment. 

King George V replaced by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

The statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was installed to replace the statue of King George V that stood as a representative of the British Raj.

New Naval Ensign with inspiration from rich heritage 

Breaking away from the colonial symbolism, the Naval ensign was changed to represent the rich cultural heritage of the country. 

Merger of Amar Jawan Jyoti & National War Memorial flames

The National War Memorial was set up as a tribute to all the soldiers who have and will lay down their lives in service of Independent India. The eternal flame of the Amar Jawan Jyoti, which was at the India Gate (Constructed by the British) was shifted & merged with the flame at National War Memorial to pay homage to all the bravehearts of the nation.