Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising raised questions on legality and secular nature of the RSS commemorative coin

 The controversy surrounding the issuance of a ₹100 commemorative coin celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization in India. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising raised questions about the legality and secular nature of the coin, implying that it may not align with India’s secular constitution. I strongly counters her claims by explaining that commemorative coins are not legal tender used for transactions but collectibles issued by the government to honor significant historical figures and events from diverse backgrounds. The Indian constitution is secular, allowing equal respect to all organizations and communities without discrimination. It points out that the government has issued similar coins honoring various leaders and groups across religion and ideology, including Muslim leaders, freedom fighters, and other national icons. I emphaticlly say that the RSS commemorative coin is a rightful recognition of the organization's century-long contribution to the nation and criticizes those who selectively challenge such recognitions based on ideological biases. It concludes by emphasizing that India’s constitution belongs to all citizens equally and should not be claimed or interpreted selectively to suit political agendas.  

Highlights  

- 🪙 The ₹100 RSS commemorative coin is a collectible, not a currency for transactions.  

- 📜 India’s secular constitution allows honoring diverse organizations and leaders equally.  

- ⚖️ Lawyer Indira Jaising questioned the coin’s legality, sparking controversy.  

- 🕌 Commemorative coins have been issued for Muslim leaders, freedom fighters, and religious figures.  

- 🏛️ RSS members swear allegiance to the constitution despite being a Hindu nationalist group.  

- 🔍 The criticism reflects ideological bias rather than legal or constitutional concerns.  

- The coin symbolizes national pride and the RSS’s 100 years of service to India.  

Key Insights  

- 🪙 **Commemorative Coins vs. Legal Tender:** The ₹100 coin issued for the RSS centenary is not intended for everyday transactions but serves as a collector’s item to honor historical milestones. This distinction is crucial because it means the coin is symbolic rather than a currency, invalidating claims that it violates legal tender laws. Governments worldwide, including India, frequently issue such coins for national pride and remembrance.  

- 📜 **Secularism and Equal Recognition:** India’s constitution guarantees secularism, meaning the state must treat all religions and communities equally. Honoring RSS with a commemorative coin does not violate secular principles, as secularism does not exclude recognition of any community or organization. The constitution’s essence is equal respect for all, not selective acknowledgment based on political leanings.  

- ⚖️ **Legal and Constitutional Validity:** The issuance of the RSS commemorative coin follows established government protocols and is backed by the Reserve Bank of India and the government mint. Senior lawyer Indira Jaising’s questioning of its legality appears to be more ideological than legal. The coin is fully backed by legal frameworks, making challenges to its issuance weak from a constitutional perspective.  

- 🕌 **Diverse Representation in Commemorations:** There are numerous examples of commemorative coins honoring leaders from varied religious and political backgrounds, such as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mother Teresa, and Mughal emperors. This demonstrates the government’s inclusive approach in celebrating India’s pluralistic heritage through such symbols.  

- 🏛️ **RSS’s Constitutional Allegiance:** Despite being a Hindu nationalist group, RSS members take an oath of allegiance to the Indian constitution. This underlines that the organization operates within constitutional limits and respects India’s democratic framework, challenging narratives that portray it as unconstitutional or extremist.  

- 🔍 **Ideological Bias in Criticism:**  It is also suggests that the objections to the coin are less about legal or constitutional issues and more about political and ideological biases. It criticizes the tendency to label Hindu organizations’ achievements as “communal” while similar honors to other groups are accepted without controversy. This reveals a pattern of selective secularism and partisan attitudes in public discourse.  

- 🇮🇳 **National Pride and Historical Recognition:** Celebrating the RSS’s 100 years with a commemorative coin symbolizes recognition of its role in India’s historical and cultural landscape. This recognition is framed as a matter of national pride rather than sectarian favoritism, emphasizing that historical contributions from all quarters deserve acknowledgment in a diverse democracy.  

 I advocate for an inclusive, unbiased understanding of India’s secular constitution and warn against politicizing symbols of national heritage for ideological gain.