Recently, Delhi Chief Minister, triggered a major controversy when he suggested that the images of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and Hindu Elephant God, Ganesha be put on the currency notes in India.
He wrote a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and suggested these changes. In his letter he claims that such a move will make the currency stronger as it will be blessed by the gods themselves. He claims that this is the desire of 1.3 Billion Indians who live in the country. In a press conference where he released this letter, he said the gods will bless the people and the economy of the country will improve.
It would be pertinent to note that Delhi CM is a former IRS Officer, a qualified engineer from IIT Kharagpur. Before he formed the AAP, he was an activist who was part of the India Against Corruption Movement that led to the fall of UPA-2 Government at the center.
On the face of it, the proposal looks like an ill thought out proposal. Such an approach to improving the economy of the country is actually very naive. Also India, as described in the constitution, is a secular nation. By definition, the State does not subscribe to any religion. Thus this proposal goes against the letter and spirit of the constitution. It is strange that a leader who professes keen knowledge of the life, time and work of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (and whose office are adorned with his photograph) is making such a proposal. It seems that wooing the Hindu electorate in the upcoming elections is the only reason to make such a proposal.
It is also interesting to note that the mainstream media has not come down heavily on this proposal given that it goes against the secular grain of the nation. That might be because AAP government is now spending upward of 500 Crores per year on media advertisements.
It is sad to see that those who had professed to have come into politics to change politics are falling into the same old mold of appeasement politics.
This proposal is unlikely to find any favor as the current government does not even believe or acknowledge that we are having a bad economy.
