Did Swamy say Goddess Lakshmi on notes would improve currency?
Subramanian Swamy is a BJP member but rarely has he minced his words when it comes to criticizing the economic policies of the current regime. Known for having a knack for economics, Dr. Swamy created an uproar when he said printing Goddess Lakshmi on banknotes would improve currency. But, before jumping guns, know what did he say exactly.
Dr. Swamy's remarks came after reporter posed a question
On Tuesday evening, Dr. Swamy addressed a lecture series titled 'Swami Vivekananda Vyakhyanmala' in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. Later, he spoke to reporters where he made the headline-inducing remarks. He was asked which God would he choose if India had to follow the Indonesian-model, where Lord Ganesha is printed on banknotes. Dr. Swamy picked Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth in Hindu mythology.
Ganesha removes obstacles, Lakshmi will improve currency: Dr. Swamy
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi can answer this question. I am in favor (of this). Lord Ganesha removes obstacles. I rather say that a picture of Goddess Lakshmi may improve the condition of Indian currency. Nobody should feel bad about this," Dr. Swamy quipped.
Headlines followed, and then Dr. Swamy was trolled rather mindlessly
With headlines like, "How to improve condition of rupee? Subramanian Swamy says Goddess Lakshmi on notes may help" and "Lakshmi on banknotes may improve condition of Indian currency: Subramanian Swamy," his words were covered extensively. People pointed out Dr. Swamy holds a Ph.D degree in Economics from the Harvard University and his remarks don't really suit his stature. The fact that he was misquoted was lost on the journalists and Twitterati alike.
Facing heat, Dr. Swamy tweeted the complete story
Separately, Dr. Swamy asserted there is nothing wrong in CAA
At the same event, Dr. Swamy spoke about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which has sparked protests across the nation. The CAA accords citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Jain, Christian, and Buddhist illegal immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, if they entered India on or before December 31, 2014. This benchmark has been termed bigoted by those opposing CAA.
Can't force Pakistan's Muslims to come here: Dr. Swamy
Defending CAA, Dr. Swamy said Congress and Mahatma Gandhi wanted it. "Manmohan Singh had also requested in Parliament in 2003. We did it. Now they aren't accepting it, saying that we did injustice to Pakistan's Muslims. What injustice was done? Pakistan's Muslims don't want to come, we can't force them," he added. He also said BJP should now focus on bringing Uniform Civil Code.
Today, rupee gained marginally against the dollar
Meanwhile, Indian economy remains in a dire situation and Centre needs to take concrete steps to steer the economy out of the crisis. Today, the rupee gained marginally against the US dollar, after US and China signed a deal to ease trade tensions. When markets opened, the rupee was at 70.80 a dollar. It showed a slight improvement of 0.04% from Wednesday.
