Claiming that the Indian economy was not in a good shape, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introduce currency notes with images of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi on one side and Mahatma Gandhi’s picture on the other.
The BJP termed his demand a “gimmick†ahead of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections and claimed that Kejriwal and his party have a long history of abusing Hindu’s Gods and Goddesses.
“This is a political gimmick of Kejriwal, who is trying to be a Hindu to divert attention from his party’s ‘anti-Hindu’ mindset ahead of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh polls. Those who objected to Ram Mandir have come with a new mask,†BJP leaders said.
Addressing a press conference, the AAP supremo said, “Today, I am appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre that our currency notes have the image of Mahatma Gandhi on one side. It should remain as it is but on the other side, there should be an image of Ganesha and Lakshmi.â€
“Despite making efforts, sometimes our efforts do not fructify if gods and goddesses are not blessing us. I appeal to PM (Modi) to have photos of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi on our currency (notes). If there is a photo of Lakshmi-Ganesha on our currency (notes), our country will prosper. I will write to (the) Prime Minister in a day or two on this,†Kejriwal said.
Citing the example of Indonesia, Kejriwal said that “Indonesia is a Muslim country. There are 85 per cent Muslims and only 2 per cent Hindus but there is a picture of Shri Ganesh ji on the currency. If Indonesia can do it, we can do it too,†he said.
Asserting that he was not requesting to exchange all the notes in circulation, Kejriwal said his suggestion was to include the images of Ganesha and Lakshmi on the notes that are printed every month “This way, a significant amount of these notes will be in circulation in some time,†he added.
Hitting out at the AAP national convener, former Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said it was “an unsuccessful attempt by Kejriwal to hide the ugly face of AAP several leaders who have openly spoken against the Sanatan Dharma and abused Hindu gods and goddesses.â€
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Kejriwal had once spoken against the construction of Ram temple and said a hospital should be built at the site in Ayodhya. He said, “People should watch the video in which Kejriwal is saying that he would not go to Ram temple for worship at any cost because Lord Ram will not accept that worship.â€
