On Friday, India gave clarification on the controversy regarding the mural in the new Parliament building.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the artwork only depicts the spread of the prehistoric Ashokan empire.

Bagchi told a news briefing that the mural was not raised by visiting Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday. Bagchi claimed that he had not seen any official protest from Pakistan and that he was unaware of any protests taking place in Nepal over the issue.

“The mural in question depicts the spread of the Ashokan empire and the idea of responsible and people-oriented governance that [Emperor Ashoka] adopted and propagated,” Bagchi said.

“That’s what the mural and the plaque in front of the mural says. I really don’t have anything further to add to that. I’m certainly not going to comment on statements that other political leaders might have made,” he added.

The mural depicts ancient sites such as Lumbini and Kapilvastu in Nepal and other historic locations in present-day Pakistan.

Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is among the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. Kapilvastu, an ancient city that was the capital of the Shakya rulers, was the childhood home of the Buddha.

Some BJP leaders have referred to the painting as a symbol of "Akhand Bharat" or a united India that incorporates sections of numerous bordering nations, despite the fact that officials have indicated it shows the influence of old Indian thinking.

As an example, Pralhad Joshi, the minister for legislative affairs, and Manoj Kotak, a member of the Lok Sabha, both referred to the mural in their tweets as a representation of Akhand Bharat.

Image source: Twitter