RSS demands withdrawal of ‘Christian’ Rs 2 coin

NEW DELHI: The new two-rupee coin has invited controversy from an unlikely quarter. The RSS has demanded withdrawal of the currency for it claims that a holy Christian cross has replaced map of India on the backside of the coin.

Without referring to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the RSS targeted her. It wants the government to explain why this coin should become a means of promoting Christianity and who took the decision to have an basic version of the Christian cross. The RSS chief K Sudershan has articulated the demand.

Former RSS spokesman Ram Madhav told DNA:  “Using religious symbols on coins is against the secular traditions of the country. If that be the case then every religion can legitimately demand to have its religious symbols placed on coins and currency notes of different denominations.”

Madhav said: “The symbol on the coin was an exact replica of the holy cross gold coin issued by an 8th century AD Roman Emperor, Louis, the Pious. The four dots below the cross are symbolic of the four gospels of Christianity.”