Mahatma Gandhi’s image will not be removed from Indian currency notes, clarifies RBI
Pertaining to the topic of Mahatma Gandhi’s “possible” removal from Indian currency, a spate of forwarding on social media recently had gone viral. Many spoke of new notes carrying Rabindranath Tagore or Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Now, the RBI had made it clear that this completely false and misleading statement.
Reserve Bank of India Statement
The RBI has stated that no proposal has been received from the Government of India for the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait from the notes.
Some viral posts mentioned that new notes would carry images of other great personalities. The RBI has stated that there is no decision, discussion, or plan regarding that.
Removing Gandhiji’s image from Indian currency notes is out of the question at this time.
The Pandora’s box of Rumor: How did this Rumor Start?
On August 14th, some sample designs were sent to IIT Delhi professor Dilip Saha and his team. These samples contained images of Gandhiji, Rabindranath Tagore, and Dr. Kalam as watermarking images. These were samples related only to technical research and testing of security features and have no relation to operation notes.
Design and security features of notes are periodically reviewed, but this does not imply any alteration in Gandhiji’s image.
Image on digital currency (e-Rupees)?
No.
India’s e-Rupee is a digital currency and is not a paper note. There is just a code and digital value through which no image, design, or symbol can be printed.
So, introducing an image of any great personality is out of the question in digital currency.
History: when did Gandhiji’s image appear, and on which notes?
In the early years of independence, Indian notes used to carry the Ashoka Pillar and varied symbols.
The first note carrying Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait was issued in 1969. In 1987, Gandhiji’s picture was put for the first time on the ₹500 note.
The design continued through the next “Mahatma Gandhi Series” and “New MG Series”, with the ever-same image of Gandhiji.
Conclusion
Rumors available on social media stating the removal of Gandhiji’s image are completely untrue.
The RBI has categorically stated that: There is no proposal to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s image from the notes.
The news of issuing new notes with the images of other individuals is completely false. So there is no need to panic. Until the government or the Reserve Bank makes a formal announcement, Mahatma Gandhi’s picture will remain unscathed on Indian currency, just as it has been that of Indian historical heritage.
