Gandhi Jayanti: Why do Indian currencies only feature Mahatma Gandhi?

As India honours the 'Father of the Nation' on his 150th birth anniversary on October 2, 2019, one remembers the smiling face of 'Bapu' which is a part of our daily life while handling money. While many inanimate objects have often been featured on India's currency notes, the Mahatma's face has been a constant feature on our banknotes since 1996.

Why is only Gandhiji's face printed constantly on Indian currency?

Prior to 1996, the Ashoka pillar was the prime feature on all notes and coins of the Indian currency. This was revised by the RBI in a sweeping move in 1996 when it replaced all currencies (notes featuring Ashoka Pillar) with the ones featuring the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. This decision of the RBI has time and again stirred up a vigorous debate, with many Indians demanding other freedom fighters too be featured on notes. But reports state that the RBI has explained that unlike previous currencies that featured only inanimate objects, the present currency would be hard to forge.

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Why were inanimate symbols on currencies discontinued?

While Gandhiji's face was printed on the banknotes, the debate over other national leaders honoured on currency did not die. After the debate being brought onto the Lok Sabha floor in 2014, the Centre intervened to provide an explanation. 

The then-Finance Minister stated, "A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) panel has decided against the inclusion of any other national leader's image on banknotes saying that no other personality could better represent the ethos of the country than Mahatma Gandhi," according to news reports. 

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The Centre was forced to intervene after individuals reportedly protested against the discontinuation of currency notes of Rs. 20 (featuring the wheel of Konark Temple, Odisha), Rs. 1000 (Brihadeeswara Temple of Tanjore)and Rs. 5000 (featuring the Gateway of India). RBI further stated that Mahatma Gandhi being the ‘Father of the nation’ was decided to be featured as a unifying factor across regions and religions.

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Where did the current Gandhi photo originate?

It was widely believed that the photo on the current RBI notes is a caricature of the Mahatma. But recent reports state that the photo was captured when he visited Lord Fredrick Pethick Lawrence to then Viceroy’s house by an unknown photographer. The moment where 'Bapu' is seen smiling was reportedly captured in 1946. This photo was then cropped and is being featured till date in India's currency.

(Source: Wikimedia)

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