Kejriwal’s currency proposal creates an awkward movement for DMK and BRS
Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) created a political flutter by making an appeal to incorporate images of Hindu gods Ganesha and Laxmi on currency notes, putting a few regional parties like DMK in a tight spot. Kejriwal who was in the Indian Revenue Service as a senior officer knows the difficulties in making such far-reaching decisions. Arvind Kejriwal in an informal chat with his senior AAP MPs said that he was confident the KCR Chief Minister of Telangana will support his demand.
A few DMK MPs asked a senior AAP Rajya Sabha MP whether Kejriwal is serious about making such statements? DMK is unable to explain whether they support or oppose such a move. This issue is bound to create differences between regional parties and AAP. While Kejriwal is gaining ground support for this in Gujarat, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that the comments were aimed at making electoral gains in Gujarat and not inspired by genuine faith. YSR Jagan Congress Party does not support such demand, while Telangana Rashtriya Samithi now BRS has not reacted so far. Sanjay Singh AAP MP is calling up many of his friends in Southern regional parties to explain that Kejriwal is watching the reactions from many parties.
As the BJP hit out, blaming Kejriwal for trying to make up for his government’s hard position against Diwali firecrackers, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said that the BJP should clarify its stance on the issue.
“The intention behind having images of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha on currency notes is to receive the blessings of gods for the country’s prosperity and happiness. If a Muslim-majority country like Indonesia can have the image of Lord Ganesh on its currency notes, why is the BJP opposing the appeal of CM Arvind Kejriwal?” Singh said. “BJP and the Prime Minister should make their stance clear if they agree or disagree with the appeal. If they are opposing this move, they should also tell the reason behind it.”
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the blessings of Laxmi and Ganesha are, and will always be, with Indians.
The AAP chief asked for Indian currency notes to feature images of Hindu Gods Ganesha and Laxmi along with that Mahatma Gandhi, efforts that he said may bolster India’s economy, adding that he will soon write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to push for the move. He cited the example of Indonesia to burnish his argument. “If Indonesia [a Muslim-majority country] can do it, we too can,” he said.
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Jains will be averse to handling currency notes with Hindu symbols.