The image of Bharat Mata appears on coins issued in the name of the RSS, angering the opposition. They called it an insult to the Constitution.

New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday released a special postage stamp and a commemorative coin to commemorate the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The coin features Bharat Mata’s image, marking the first time her image has been featured on an Indian currency. Meanwhile, the opposition has expressed outrage over the government’s move, sharply criticizing it and calling it an insult to the Constitution.

The 100-rupee coin features the national emblem on one side, and Bharat Mata’s image seated on a lion on the other. It also depicts some volunteer volunteers, seemingly bowing before Bharat Mata. The coin also bears the RSS’s guiding motto, “Rashtraya Swaha, Idam Rashtraya, Idam Na Mam,” which means “Everything is dedicated to the nation, everything belongs to the nation, nothing is mine.” The postage stamp depicts the participation of RSS volunteers in the Republic Day parade in 1963, highlighting the organization’s historic contributions.

At an event organized to mark this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that this is a historic occasion for the country. He said, “For the first time in the history of independent India, the image of Bharat Mata has been inscribed on Indian currency, which is a very proud and historic moment.” PM Modi described it as a proud moment for Bharat Mata and the RSS’s century-long journey of service and dedication.

Displeasure over the glorification of the RSS
The opposition strongly objected to the glorification of the RSS at the ceremony organized by the Ministry of Culture and the image of Bharat Mata on the coins. On the other hand, the Congress party, in a series of posts on social media, stated that the RSS did not participate in the struggle for independence from British rule. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) called the release of the stamp and coin an insult to the Constitution. The CPI(M) Politburo said that ‘Bharat Mata’ is an image of a Hindu goddess that the RSS has promoted as a symbol of its communal concept of a Hindutva nation.

What did the CPIM say?
The CPIM further said that the stamp depicting uniformed RSS volunteers at the 1963 Republic Day parade also distorts history. The statement said, “It is based on the lie that Jawaharlal Nehru, in recognition of the RSS’s patriotism during the Indo-China war, invited it to participate in the 1963 Republic Day parade. Even if they were present, it was unannounced and incidental.” Party general secretary MA Baby wrote in a post on Instagram, “The Prime Minister is abusing his position to legitimize the RSS’s communal agenda and distort India’s freedom struggle.”