The pillar depicting four back-to-back lions found at Sarnath is the basis of the official seal of the Government of India. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emblem_of_India.svg). The name Ashok is quite popular in India. Of all the kings, why was something from Ashok's period chosen to represent India? And why is Ashok a popular name? Here are a few possible explanations.
Ashok's period - 3rd century BCE is considered a golden age of India. Golden, not because of arts, but because of the spirit of tolerance that existed at that time.
Ashok unified the country much before the British did, and Ashok's boundaries closely resembled what the British did much later.
All this added up to nationalist pride in Ashok, and all things Ashok.
Finally, there is some religious angle to it too. The two major religious factions in India are Hindus and Muslims. Choosing a king who was neither Hindu, nor Muslim, but a Buddhist, may have been a nice compromise.
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