Maria Akram, TNN Jan 16, 2014, 11.58PM IST
NEW DELHI: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued new Rs 5 and Rs 10 coins bearing images of Goddess Vaishno Devi to commemorate Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board's silver jubilee. Muslim clerics, objecting to this, say it hurts religious sentiments and is against secularism. If an Indian coin can have the image of a Hindu goddess, it can also bear a star with the crescent moon, they say.
On Thursday, a Ballimaran trader bought 88 Rs 5 coins for Rs 500 and all of them had the image. "We thought these were fakes, but got to know such coins are in circulation. We aren't against any religion, but minting coins like these creates differences," said Mohd Afzal Khan, the trader.
"One should avoid using these coins. We are hurt. Today, it's just coins, tomorrow it can be anything. People can use this as an issue and stoke trouble. In the interest of the nation, circulation of these coins should stop and all such coins recalled," Mufti Mohd Mukarram Ahmad, Fatehpuri Masjid Imam, said. RBI spokesperson Alpana Killawala explained that it's normal procedure to release commemorative coins. "RBI is not involved in designing coins. This is done by the Government of India. We only monitor distribution," she said.
Commemorative coins have been issued for the Commonwealth Games, Homi Bhabha, Saint Alphonso, KVIC, State Bank of India, ONGC, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Dandi March, Swami Vivekananda, Motilal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malviya, Comptroller and Auditor General and the Kuka Movement.
"But in the past these had nothing to do with any religion. Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is only for one religion. CWG, CAG or Motilal Nehru is not affiliated to any religion. The government should be careful when taking such decisions," said Khan.
Source
NEW DELHI: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued new Rs 5 and Rs 10 coins bearing images of Goddess Vaishno Devi to commemorate Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board's silver jubilee. Muslim clerics, objecting to this, say it hurts religious sentiments and is against secularism. If an Indian coin can have the image of a Hindu goddess, it can also bear a star with the crescent moon, they say.
On Thursday, a Ballimaran trader bought 88 Rs 5 coins for Rs 500 and all of them had the image. "We thought these were fakes, but got to know such coins are in circulation. We aren't against any religion, but minting coins like these creates differences," said Mohd Afzal Khan, the trader.
"One should avoid using these coins. We are hurt. Today, it's just coins, tomorrow it can be anything. People can use this as an issue and stoke trouble. In the interest of the nation, circulation of these coins should stop and all such coins recalled," Mufti Mohd Mukarram Ahmad, Fatehpuri Masjid Imam, said. RBI spokesperson Alpana Killawala explained that it's normal procedure to release commemorative coins. "RBI is not involved in designing coins. This is done by the Government of India. We only monitor distribution," she said.
Commemorative coins have been issued for the Commonwealth Games, Homi Bhabha, Saint Alphonso, KVIC, State Bank of India, ONGC, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Dandi March, Swami Vivekananda, Motilal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malviya, Comptroller and Auditor General and the Kuka Movement.
"But in the past these had nothing to do with any religion. Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is only for one religion. CWG, CAG or Motilal Nehru is not affiliated to any religion. The government should be careful when taking such decisions," said Khan.
Source
Then coins on Mahaveer, St Alphonsa, should have also not minted. Lol
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