Demand for Lakshmi-Ganesh's photo on Indian currency: Whose picture will be printed on the note, who decides after all?

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has demanded from PM Modi that along with Gandhiji, the picture of Lakshmi-Ganesh should also be printed on Indian currency notes. This will give God's blessings to the country's economy. To emphasize his point, he gave an example of Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country. Where the picture of Ganesh Ji has been printed on a note of 20 thousand rupees.

Question-1: Whose photo will be on the note, who decides it?

Answer: Only the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has the right to issue currency notes in India. The government of India issues only Re 1 note.

The design, form, and material of notes are proposed by the Central Board of the Reserve Bank under Section 25 of the RBI Act. The Government of India approves it.

Question 2: If there is any change to be made in the picture printed in the note, then how will it happen?

Answer: Under Section 22 of the RBI Act 1934, RBI has the sole authority to issue notes. If any change is to be made to it, then it is proposed by the Central Board of the Reserve Bank under Section 25. The government of India approves.

The entire responsibility of currency management rests with a separate department of RBI. It is currently headed by Deputy Governor T Rabi Shankar.

Question-3: Can the picture of any deity be printed on the notes in India?

Answer: The Delhi High Court, during the hearing on the issue in December 2014, said that the Constitution does not permit the use of religious symbols on the currency. However, in 2002, the picture of Vaishno Devi has also been printed on special coins of Rs 5 and Rs 10.

Question-4: How is the picture of Ganesh Ji in the currency of Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country?

Answer: In 1998, the photo of Lord Ganesha was printed on a note of 20 thousand rupees by Indonesia. The government there had released it under the theme of education at that time. However, this note is no longer in circulation in Indonesia.

On this note of 20 thousand rupees, there is a photo of Lord Ganesha on one side and Hajar Devantar of Indonesia's first education minister on the other. On the other hand, there is a photo of the children studying.

Many parts of Indonesia were ruled by the Chola dynasty. During this time many temples were built there. Ganesh Ji is considered the god of arts, wisdom, and education in Indonesia. The photo of Lord Ganesha can be seen in many schools and colleges here. This is the reason that his photo was put in the note of 20 thousand rupees.

Apart from this, there is a photo of the temple of Bali in the 50 thousand rupee note of Indonesia. This note is still in circulation. However, along with Hindus, symbols of different religions have also been given a place in Indonesian notes.

Also Read: Indian Currency: After Ganesh-Lakshmi on the notes, now the demand to put pictures of Ambedkar and Chhatrapati Shivaji