Many great minds are suggesting ideas to save the depreciating Indian Rupee. Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has suggested putting the image of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesh to save the drowning rupee. Further, he also said that “despite being a Muslim country with more than 85% of Muslims, Indonesia has the image of Lord Ganesha on its note. “
Soon, this statement of Delhi CM got viral and netizens are having mixed reactions to his suggestion.
Fact Check
The DFRAC team found that there were some misleading facts stated by Kejriwal during his speech. First, he referred to Indonesia as a Muslim Country but the Republic of Indonesia is not a Muslim country as Islam is not the official language of the state. According to Chapter 11, Article 29 of the Indonesian constitution:
- The State shall be based upon the belief in the One and Only God.
- The State guarantees all persons the freedom of worship, each according to his/her own religion or belief.
Facts about Lord Ganesha’s image on the currency of Indonesia
After the financial crisis of 1997, Indonesia printed an image of Lord Ganesha on 20000 Rupiah. It has Lord Ganesha’s image along with a picture of activist Ki Hajar Dewantara at the front. And, a picture of a classroom with children studying at the backside of the note.
Only the note of Rp 20000 printed at that time (1997-98) has the image of Lord Ganesha.
As per latest currency issued by Bank Indonesia, the Indonesian Rupiah does not of Lord Ganesha printed on it.
Moreover, the latest edition of Rp also do not have Lord Ganesha’s image on it. The Rp 20,000 green coloured banknote has the portrait of Indonesian National Hero Sam Ratulangi, politician. On the back side is a traditional Tari Gong dancer and a view on Derawang, with a turtle.
Conclusion
Although Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country with about 87% Muslim population, it is not a Muslim country as it does not recognize Islam as its official religion. Just like about 80% population of India is Hindu but it is not a Hindu country.
Further, only one note of Indonesian currency that too was printed at the time of 1998 had an image of Lord Ganesha on it. Therefore, the statement of Arvid Kejriwal is misleading.
