No Fault With Decision To Retain Only Mahatma Gandhi's Image On Currency Notes : Madras HC Dismisses Plea To Print Notes With Netaji's Image

The Division Bench of Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice M. Duraiswamy observed thus,

"This Court is not underestimating the fight and the sacrifice made by Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose and other great leaders for freedom moment of this Country. There are many known heroes and unsung heroes. If everybody starts making such a claim there will not be an end."

The petitioner claimed that Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose is a Great Leader, who fought for the Independence of our Country and therefore, the petitioner submitted that if the image of Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose is printed in the currency note that will be a tribute paid to this great leader.

Along these lines, the petitioner had earlier filed a writ petition before the Madras High Court, which was disposed of by the Court on February 4, 2021 directing the respondent authorities to consider his claim.

As per the Union Government's order, the Committee deliberated on the issue of changing the existing image of Mahatma Gandhi and inclusion of certain other personalities in the new design of banknotes.

However, the Committee decided that no other personality could better represent the ethos of India than Mahatma Gandhi, and, therefore, it decided to retain his portrait on the obverse and on the watermark.

Now, after the rejection of his representation by the Central Government, he moved Madras HC giving detail about the works of Great Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose and how he contributed to India's independence.

Lastly, the Petitioner urged before the court that if the image of Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose is printed in the currency note that will be a tribute paid to this great leader.

In this context, the Court noted that it is only the Government can make a decision and the court cannot substitute the views stated in the Committee report which has been accepted by the Government.

"If everybody starts making such a claim there will not be an end. Moreover, in recent days, there are claims and counterclaims based on religion, community, and region. If every claim is started to be entertained, there will not be any end," noted the Court.

Lastly, finding no fault with the decision of the Central Government, dismissing the plea, the Court observed thus:

"The Central Government as well as Reserve Bank of India have already constituted a Committee and took a decision that it is only the father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi could represent the ethos of India and therefore, it was decided to retain Mahatma Gandhi's image in the currency notes and no other personality image is decided to be included."