Why Devanagari numerals on Rs 2000 notes? Madras HC wants to know

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by a Madurai resident K P T Ganesh. The petitioner sought that the new Rs 2,000 note be declared invalid

"Under what authority have Devanagari numerals been used in the new Rs 2,000 notes", asked the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court. The High court has an sought explanation from the Finance ministry in this regard.

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by a Madurai resident K P T Ganesh. The petitioner sought that the new Rs 2,000 note be declared invalid since the use of Devanagari numerals is in violation of the Indian Constitution.

The petitioner argued that Article 343 of the Indian Constitution prescribes that for official purposes of the union the international form of Indian numerals must be used. There is no provision under the Official Languages Act enacted in 1963 to use Devanagari numerals. Hence, the Rs 2,000 note should be declared invalid, the petitioner further contended.

The use of Devanagari numerals on the new currency notes had raked up a storm. Critics had said that it was an attempt by the government towards 'Hindification'.

OneIndia News