Hyderabad: Welfare Minister Adluri Lakshman Kumar on Friday urged the Union government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to print the Ambedkar portrait on Indian currency notes.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi, the Minister said he would raise the issue with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Moreover, he said he would also discuss the proposal with the State Cabinet. He said the Telangana government should submit an official representation to the Union government supporting the demand.
Later, Lakshman Kumar expressed solidarity with the peaceful protest organised by the Currency Notes Ambedkar Photo Sadhana Samithi (CAPSS) at Jantar Mantar. Further, he praised the organisation for leading a sustained campaign to include Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s portrait on Indian currency.
Ambedkar portrait symbolises constitutional values
Lakshman Kumar described Dr B.R. Ambedkar as the architect of the world’s largest democracy. Meanwhile, he said the Constitution drafted under Ambedkar’s leadership remained the foundation of India’s democratic system. He said it upheld the principles of equality, liberty, fraternity and social justice.
The Minister also described Ambedkar as an internationally acclaimed economist. In addition, he said printing the Ambedkar portrait on Indian currency would reaffirm the country’s commitment to constitutional values and social justice.
Finally, he urged the Union government to accord Ambedkar national recognition befitting his contribution to nation-building. He said Gandhi’s portrait had become a national symbol on Indian currency and Ambedkar deserved similar recognition.